Call number C970.78 B56e 190?

Experience of a Confederate Chaplain, 1861-1864

Rev. A. D. Betts

Edited by W.A. Betts[Greenville? S.
C.,]s.n. 190?

The electronic edition is a part of the UNC-CH
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Library of Congress Subject Headings, 19th edition,
1996

LC Subject Headings:

Betts, A. D. (Alexander Davis), 1832-1918 -- Diaries.

Chaplains, Military -- United States -- Diaries.

Confederate States of America. Army -- Chaplains -- Diaries.

Confederate States of America. Army. North Carolina Infantry
Regiment, 30th.

EXPERIENCE
OF AConfederate Chaplain1861-1864

BY REV. A. D. BETTS, D. D.,

N. C. Conference

Methodist Episcopal Church, South.

Chaplain 30th N. C. Troops.

EDITED BY W. A. BETTS.

INTRODUCTION.

HISTORY rightly defined is more than a narration of
events transpiring within certain periods of the Calendar.
That most useful of the sciences deals with the
philosophy and results of occurrences, deriving therefrom
an array of principles which form a part of the
world's necessary and priceless treasure. The historian
takes the crude materials time pours into his hands,
digests, filters and refines the mass, thereby securing
the simplest and most serviceable products. These he
places on the market where buyers always wait, eager
and affluent. Artists and artisans these buyers are,
who for their own and others' wellbeing build structures,
weave fabrics, or portray the perfect pattern.

The chronicles of a Confederate Chaplain's diary
will doubtless furnish the staple for weaving a most engaging
story when the true historian shall find them.

The perusal of these plain annals will surely revive
in the memory of many a Confederate Veteran the vivid
panorama of that unequalled and heroic struggle for
the perpetuation of certain principles that underlie the
purest and best form of government in the estimation
of loyal Southrons.

It is devoutly desired that all who may trace the
indentures of this diary will reflect gratefully upon the
allwise and gracious providence of God that seeks to
save even unto the uttermost. It is believed that many
persons, at home and in the army, were led to accept
Christ as their Saviour, who under other circumstances
might never have known His forgiving love.

Joseph T. Derry in his "Story of the Confederate
States," says:

"There was throughout the Southern army a
strong religious sentiment, and many of the officers and

men were deeply pious. * * * * * Firmly believing that
God gave to them all the brilliant victories that shed
such lustre on their arms, they also believed that God
in His wisdom had given them final defeat. It is this
feeling that has caused the Southern people, without
any consciousness of guilt or shame, to accept in perfect
good faith the result of the war and the changed order
of things. and at the same time to use every constitutional
method to maintain the rights of their States as
co-equal members of the Union."

THE WAR OF THE CONFEDERACY.

EDITORIAL NOTE.

The discriminating minds among our intelligent
young people of the South will readily perceive that
there is a manifest and important, because truthful,
distinction to be maintained touching the style and
title of the conflict waged on this American continent
during 1861 - 1865, between The United States and the
newly born nationality known as The Confederate
States. The following from Dr. S. A. Steel, of Richmond,
Va., will be appreciated:

"The term 'Civil War' ought to be abandoned because
it embodies an error. A civil war is a war between
factions contending for the control of the same
government, like Caesar and Pompey, like Lancaster
and York. If the Southern people had fought in the
Union, it would have been a civil war, and the defeated
party would have been rebels. The movement was a
revolution. The object of it was to maintain a separate
government. The war was between the government of
the United States and the government of the Confederate
States. We went out of the Union; went so completely
that we had to be re-admitted. We were not
'rebels,' but patriots, wisely or unwisely, exercising the
the inalienable right of self-government in an honest
effort to rectify political diffiiculties. This is the verdict
history will ultimately pronounce upon that
struggle."

While our friends, the enemy, persist in calling as
"Rebels," and refer to that struggle for Southern independence
as "The Rebellion," we are content to bear
the obloquy, knowing the injustice of it; yea, we glory
in it, as did the now largest of protestant religious denominations
accept and wear the term of reproach
designating them "Methodists." But let us not forget
that "We be brethren!"

EXPERIENCE OF A CONFEDERATE CHAPLAIN,
1861 - 1865.

One day in April, 1861, I heard that President Lincoln
had Called on the State troops to force the seceding
States back into the Union. That was one of the saddest
days of my life. I had prayed and hoped that war might
be averted. I had loved the Union, and clung to it.
That day I saw war was inevitable. The inevitable
must be met. That day I walked up and down my
porch in Smithville (now Southport, N. C.) and wept
and suffered and prayed for the South.

The drum and fife were soon heard there, and all
through the Old North State companies of our best men,
young and middle aged, offered themselves to the Governor
of the State. He organized them into regiments.
The 30th Regiment was soon sent to Smithville. Rev.
J. M. Sprunt, D. D., was their Chaplain. (See history
in "Chaplain Service.") Brunswick County had a
company (G) in this regiment. As I had preached in
that county in 1859, I knew some of the men. The
parents of Capt. John S. Brooks were very dear friends
to me. The Captain went safely through all the perils
till 1864, when he was killed, having been promoted to
Major.

John Harvil was killed in 1862.

Brunswick soon had another company ready for
service. That was put in the 30th Regiment with "A"
from Sampson "B" from Warren, "D" from Wake,
"E" from Duplin, "F" from Pitt, "G" from Granville,
"H" from Moore, "I" from Nash, and "E" from Mecklenburg
County. As I had preached in Sampson County
in 1857 and 1858 I found friends in Company A. Among
my friends in Company C was Lorenzo Dow Cain from

Bladen. He had been teaching some time in Brunswick
before the war, and joined Capt. Joseph Green's company
and was commissioned 2nd Lieut., on the day that
most of the men enlisted - Sept. 26th, 1861. He was a
bright, amiable young man.

When the 30th Regiment was organized at Raleigh
some one proposed that the commissioned officers
should call a chaplain. Lieut. Cain wrote me from
Raleigh that they had chosen me, and urged me to
accept, modestly suggesting that it would give me a
field for large usefulness. I prayed over it a few days
and wrote to Governor Clark that I would accept. My
commission was dated October 25th, 1861. The 30th
Regiment was soon sent to Smithville. I reported for
duty. Col. F. M. Parker kindly allowed me to finish up
my work on the circuit and go to Conference at Louisburg.

There three others had an experience with me. A
noble citizen put us in a nice new house. One night
we left our house unlocked while we were out. Rev.
R. A. Willis lost his trunk, with books, clothes and
manuscript sermons. Rev. J. H. Robbins lost his overcoat.
Rev. R. S. Webb lost his valise and clothes. My
carpet bag and clothing were gone too. We hired a
detective to hunt our lost goods. One day we heard a
valise had been seen on some drift wood in Tar river.
We hastened to the spot. As we crossed a field we saw
sheets of paper among the briars. They were Brother
Willis' sermons. We walked on picking the sheets from
the briars. Bro. Webb, in a solemn, dry tone, said:
Bro. Willis sows "beside all waters." Bro. Willis did
not laugh. We found a shirt for me and a garment or
two for others.

My regiment was moved to Camp Wyatt, on Federal
Point. I rented a house near by for wife and
three children. I preached often and held prayer meeting
in some company almost every night. I copied

rolls of companies, noting age of each soldier, where
born, postoffice, creed, and to what local church each
belonged, married or single, number of children if any.
etc.

In the spring of 1862 the regiment was ordered to
White Oak River, Onslow County.

J. W. Russ, of Bladen, asked me to send my family
to board with him. I sent them.

Regiment was reorganized in May and ordered to
Richmond in June, reaching there June 15th.

June 23rd I saw the first wounded of my regiment,
A. A. Lewis, of Sampson County, and Dr. Grissom, of
Wake County.

June 25th we heard frequent cannonading - 30 per
minute.

Thursday, June 26th, I was sick in my tent. Before
day I heard such noise as I had never heard before.
Everything in motion, troops, troops, wagons, wagons,
artillery, artillery. Heard cannons from 5 p. m. to 6 p. m.,
30 per minute; at 7:30, 40 per minute. Too unwell
to go to my men. Heard constant musketry. Oh,
that I could be there to comfort the wounded and dying,
and to encourage the fighting.

Friday, June 27th, Dr. Campbell and I start at 4
a. m. to try to join our regiment.

At Mechanicsville we saw many wounded, and at
-- Mills, many dead and wounded. Among the dead
I saw the handsome form of my noble school-mate,
James A. Wright, of Wilmington.

Unable to reach our brigade we drop back through
Ewell's and Stonewall Jackson's commands, and carry
Captain Drake toward our old camp. Sleep under a
tree. Our Regiment lost some men - S. Tedder, A. B.
Hood and A. F. Steel of Mecklenburg.

Sunday, June 29th - Pray in camp, and pray with
them, and carry Capt. Drake to Richmond.

FIRST LETTERS OF
CONDOLENCE.

Write to Mrs. Tedder and Mrs. Hood, whose husbands
had fallen.

July 3rd - In camp sick. Meet Revs. T. J. Gattis and
J. C. Brent of North Carolina. Learn that Bro. E. J.
Grear of Company "C," was badly wounded and captured.
He had left his pocket book containing $42.21
with me. I wish he had it in gold.

July 4th - Once a National Jubilee? With Brother
Gattis visit Captains Brooks and Stanley. Visit Chimborazo
Hospital, some of 30th Regiment, Lieut. Angus
Shaw of 38th Regiment, D. Danford of Company "C,"
and others at Seabrook Hospital. See Jos. Mason's left
leg cut off below the knee. Brother Gattis spends
night with me in camp.

July 6th - Letter from wife; she may come next
Tuesday! Walk, walk, walk, visit wounded soldiers,
Camp Winder and other Hospitals, Thos. Whitted and
Captain Sykes of Bladen, many friends and many poor
strangers. Some will live, others will die. Reach
camp late, very tired. Cough and cold very bad.

July 8th - Wife and three children arrive. Sister
Galloway comes on to see Swift. About 8 p. m. my
son Willie (under 5 years) falls from his grandpa's
porch six or seven feet and cuts his head fearfully on a
brick.

Aug. 8 - Ride early to Pa's calling at three Hospitals.
Fever all day. Take medicine at night.

Aug. 8 - Go late and walk to camp.

Sunday, Aug. 10 - Hear Rev. Rumple preach to 4th
Regiment. A poor stranger mustered in this day as a
substitute for Reams of Company "G." dies very suddenly.
He called himself Wayne, from Alexandria,
but a discharge for Williams was found in his pocket.
Mysterious and sad! Brother Rumple preached a good
sermon for me at night.

Aug. 13 - Visit sick at Division and Winder Hospital.
Lieutenants Davis, Jackson and Johnson, and privates
Jackson, Jenkins, Hester and Merritt doing well. Marshall
Teachy will hardly live. Lieutenant McLeod
hardly can recover. Peter Stanley out of his head,
imagines himself on Lockwood's Folly. Says he has
seen his wife and children! Perhaps he has. Prays
right intelligently. Poor old Mr. Graham will hardly
go in ranks again. My private roll says: Samuel W.
Graham, born in Ireland was living in Chatham County,
North Carolina, when he enlisted in Company "H"
September 23, 1861, was forty-six years old and left two
motherless children. He died next day. Scotland and
Ireland furnished several good soldiers to that company.
Dennis Carr and Andrew McFarland were born
in Ireland. James Rogers, William McCulloch and A.
D. McGill were born in Scotland. McCulloch was
thirty-seven when he enlisted, and left two motherless
children when he was lost, or reported "missing";
McGill was nineteen. He has lived to be a blessing to
North Carolina. He has been heard in the halls of her
Legislature. Graham seemed to know me the day before
he died. Teachy called me "Brother Betts," as
usual though he had recognized no one for some days.
Died August 14, 1862, leaving a wife and five children.
After supper I call to see Revs. L. and B. Culbreth, A.
Maxwell and D. Ray at Hotel. (Love and Blackman Culbreth

were brothers, local preachers, raised in Sampson
County, North Carolina. Blackman died early. Love,
a sweet singer and a fine preacher, had given a son to
the North Carolina Conference in 1859, and lived till
1896.) Return to Pa's by moonlight, praying and meditating,
and receive a blessing on my soul.

Aug. 14th - Go to Female Institute Hospital and
find no entry of the name of my Brother Grier, who
died there during my visit to North Carolina. Find
his valise, etc. Will send his brother for it. Col. May,
of Georgia, says Brother Grier died between midnight
and day, July 26, no one knowing when he died. Holy
angels knew.

Aug. 15 - Ride to see Regimental Work Squad
with Chaplains Long, Moore and Hill.

Aug. 16 - Morning in camp. Supper in Richmond,
and return and hear Brother J. G. Barkley preach.
(This dear man raised his children in Nash county
North Carolina, and lived to be very old. Died April
16, 1896. He said to me in his house in 1887 or 1888:
"Brother Betts, the happiest day in my life was one
day in 1840, when I saw my oldest daughter marry a
young man and start to Africa!" Glory to God for
such religion!)

Aug. 19 - Rise at 4 with orders to march to Gordonsville.
Leave some sick in camp. Others, not able
to march, start and have to fall out. Division passes
through Richmond. I stop and buy flannel and overtake
regiment six and one-half miles out. Sleep on
ground.

Aug. 20 - Rise at 4 and march. Night at Taylorsville.
At 10 at night brigade called to arms and
marched off - weary, weary. I remain on the ground
praying for our soldiers.

Aug. 24 - Dark and damp. One year ago today, my
dear little Eddie was cold in death in parsonage in
Smithville (Southport), North Carolina, and I was almost
dead. I preached on "Samaritan."

August 25. 1862 - My birthday! Thirty years old!
And yet how little knowledge I have acquired! How
little grace! How little good have I done! God help
me in time to come! Get marching orders at nine at
night.

Aug. 26 - Long hard march on our men.

Aug. 29 - Called at C. H. and wrote to wife.
Camped at Rapidan. I slept under a wagon.

Aug. 30 - Men wade Rapidan, and I drink of it.
Pass Cedar Run, where there had been a hard fight
August 9. Robert Henderson, a venerable old man,
had been arrested. As our men passed his gate he said
with tears, "God preserve you, my boys!" Pass Culpepper
C. H. Town and country around desolated by
war. Sick and wounded Federals in town.

Aug. 31 - It began to rain before day. Just then
we received orders, "Be ready to move at a moments'
warning." We needed rest, and were hoping we could
enjoy that Sabbath in the woods. As I leaped from
my blanket and started to find my horse, I began to
sing, not knowing what. As I heard "Happy people
over yonder, where they rest forever more," my heart
melted with joy. I was then a "happy" man. (The thirty-four
years and nineteen days since that dark morning
have brought me nearer to the "happy people over
yonder" and greatly increased their number.) March
all day. Muddy to "Muddy Run." Pass Warrenton
Sulphur Springs, lovely, blighted village.

was done last week, August 28, 29 and 30. Horrid
scenes! Many dead Federals still on the field, though
a squad of their men, under flag of truce, has been
some days caring for wounded and burying dead.

I found a wounded Federal sitting on the field - a
broken thigh, a rifle ball through his arm and a bruised
shoulder made him right helpless. His undressed
wounds were sore. He asked me if I thought our surgeons
would care for him. I assurred him they would. He
said he had a wife and two little children in his northern
home. His parents were pious and had raised him
piously, but he had neglected his own soul. I said:
"Brother, Jesus loves you. You came down here to
kill my brothers, but I love you." He broke down
and sobbed aloud: "You don't talk like one man that
came here. He upbraided me." He told me our men
had been very good to him during the three or four
days he had been there. As one hurried by he would
give him water and food, and raise him up to rest certain
tired muscles. Another would stop to give him
more food and water and lay him down.

They had just taken the last Confederate wounded
from that part of the field. He was on the surgeon's
table a few yards away. I trust this Federal was soon
taken to that table. As I was about to hurry away to
overtake my regiment he asked me to lay him down!
How could I? Where could I take hold? I did the
best I could. As I took him by the hand and commended
him to God, I think my heart was as tender as it
ever was. His bones may be in that field now. I hope
to meet his soul in Heaven in a few years. Hurry on
ten miles and overtake our regiment. Sleep cold and
take cold. Frost next morning.

Sep. 4 - Dine with Mrs. Sanders in Leesburg. She
is the mother-in-law of Rev. W. G. Cross.

Page 16 Sep 5 - March all day. Call and buy eggs and
butter from a man in Morrisonville, for which he would
receive no pay.

September 6 - Turn and march down the river,
and camp near Cheek's Ford.

Sunday, Sep. 7 - Cross Potomac while the bands are
playing "Maryland! My Maryland." Some cross the
River of Death next Sunday.

Sep. 9 - Ride to Frederick City and return. Its
population is 9,000 or 10,000.

Sep. 10 - Whole army in motion. Dine at Mr.
Fitzhugh's in Frederick City. Lovely family. Mr.
Jones, next door. Meet Rev. Auguste, Chaplain 15th
Virginia Regiment, Joseph Shawen, a good Southern
Methodist, Col. Henson, President of the County Bank,
aged and venerable (but had been arrested by the
Federals), and Rev. Mr. Ross, a Presbyterian. Spend
the night with Colonel Carmack in Frederick City.
Strong Southern feeling among these good people.

Sep 11, 1862 - Having been very feeble for two or
three days I spend a day at Colonel Carmack's. Brigade
passed at 8 a. m. At 2:30 I go on and stop at Boonsboro
with Dr. Josiah Smith. Strong intelligent Southern
feeling.

Sep. 14 - Our Brigade goes out at 4:30 a. m. My
horse being lame, I cannot go. General Garland is
brought to his tent dead. I go to see him. A few days
ago I saw him under different circumstances that will
make me admire him forever. His Brigade was crossing
a stream on a narrow footway. His men began to
plunge into the little stream, up to their knees. He
knew it would be bad for them to march with wet feet.
He drew up his fiery horse in the road in the water and
stayed there till his entire command had passed, pointing
to the narrow bridge and shouting to the men,
compelling them to take time and go over in single file.
That manly form now lies before me silent but "speaking."

Hear Captain Wicker is wounded. At midnight
wagons move circuitously to Williamsport. I start to
my regiment and find everybody moving silently.
Coming near Boonsboro, I feel lonely as I see not a
form on the pike. Enter town and see Division after
Division passing toward the west.

Monday, Sep. 15, 1862 - Regiment rest in field at 7
a. m. They need rest. Yesterday was a busy day and
last night gave us rest. Cross Antietam Creek and
make a stand on hill adjacent. An occasional artillery
shot occupies the evening. Men in arms. I spent night
with ambulances on vacant lot in Sharpsburg.

Sep. 16 - Artillery begins at 8:30 a. m. After 11
firing ceases. We move our Brigade Hospital two miles
in the rear.

Sep 17 - Very heavy firing in morning. Wounded
coming in. God help our men to fight! Have mercy
on those who are to die! At noon Colonel Parker and
Adjutant Phillips come wounded. A rifle ball passed
over Colonel Parker's head, cutting away a narrow
strip of skin and plowing a nice little furrow in the
skull, leaving the membrane that covers the brain visible
but uninjured. What a narrow escape! Fierce
contest all day. Lieutenant Rogers killed (Co. D)
Sergeant Edwards killed (Co. C), Colonel Tew, of 2nd
Regiment, was killed also. Lieut. Duncan E. McNair
of Robeson, my classmate for many years, was killed,
leaving a wife and child. Our regiment lost a number
of brave men at Sharpsburg; some killed, others mortally
wounded.

Sep. 18 - No fighting. I visit Colonel Parker and
ride over to Sharpsburg and see how the town had been
shelled. Rainy, damp night. Wake up at midnight
and find everything moving to the rear.

Sep. 19 - Before day we drink our coffee and ride to
the Potomac, leaving Drs. Gregory and Lawson and a
few wounded and sick. Though troops and wagons

have been passing all night, still the roads and fields
were full. Ram! Jam! Wagons and ambulances
turned over! One man was killed by the overturning
of an ambulance. Cross at daybreak. Yesterday I
bathed in this stream. Today dead bodies will be bathing
in it. Pass three miles back to division wagon
train and stop to rest. Shelling begins on river at 9:30
a. m. Division moves in afternoon and spends night
one and a half miles west of Shepardstown. See Captain
Baskerville going home, and write to wife.

Sep. 20 - Fierce cannonading from 10 to 11. Still
as death from 1 to 2. While troops are in line of battle
I visit five wounded men at house of William Goldenbanger.
Col. W. J. McGill lost his left arm. He has a
wife and three children. Trusts in God. John C.
McMahon, of Mississippi, Caohoma county, was with
Walker in Nicaragua, passed safely many perils in
many places, and was wounded in the arm and side at
Sharpsburg, and at last turned over in the ambulance
in which the man was killed two days ago. He is well
bred and polite and confesses his sinfulness. Did he
ever get back to his native home and see his venerable
father, Rev. Wm. McMahon?

Sep. 22 - Ride to the wagons to rest. Five years
ago this afternoon my second son, Willie, was born.
God bless him and spare us to see each other. Ride
to Martinsburg in afternoon. Lie beside my horse at
night, gazing at the stars and thinking of Mary and
my little ones. "What is man, that Thou art mindful
of him?"

Sep. 23 - Visit 18th and 28th Regiments.

Sep. 25 - Dine with Harry Thomas, near Martinsburg,
a thrifty farmer, fine-looking, genial gentleman.
I met Mr. Thomas afterwards in another section and
greeted him as such. He looked at me as if he did not

remember me. I gave him my name and said: "Is this
Mr. Harry Thomas?" He said: "No, it is his brother
Jack." I told him I had met his brother and was glad
to meet him. Some time after I met Mr. Thomas and
called him Thomas. He evidently did not remember
me. I quickly asked him if he was Mr. Harry or Jack.
He said it was neither, but their brother Jake! I wish
I could see the three together.

Sunday, Sep. 28, 1862 - Preach in camp.

Sep. 29 - Ride to Winchester with sick men. Meet
Captain Drake and Captain Witherspoon on road with
mail. Get letter from wife. Little Mary quite ill on
12th. May now be in Heaven. Father, into thy hands
I commend my child. Stop with Rev. W. G. Eggleston,
P. E. of this District of the Baltimore Conference.
Lately lost his wife. Has a family of children.

Oct. 7 - Ride to Winchester in ambulance with the
sick. Visit E. Fletcher Bobbitt at Academy Hospital.
Last interview with a lovely man. Brother of Rev.
Drs. W. H. and J. B. Bobbitt of the North Carolina
Conference Left his family in Warren county. Joined
army in May '62, and died in Richmond, October 23
1862 Roster says 1863; but my book is right. I never
can forget how tenderly he spoke of his wife, saying he

did not know how to appreciate her till the war took
him from her. Carry Rev. Vaughn, chaplain of 3rd
Regiment, to camp.

Oct. 8 - Walk five miles with J. W. Ellis as he
starts to North Carolina as Senator. This Christian
gentleman, a lawyer of Columbus county, enlisted in
Co. E as a private, August 28, 1861. His friends elected
him to the North Carolina Senate in 1862. He had a
walk of about ninety miles to Staunton, the railroad
track having been torn up. I put his knapsack on my
horse and claimed the pleasure of walking a few miles
with him.

Oct. 12 - Preach in morning. Captain Atwell died
at Shepardstown.

Oct. 14 - Tiresome ride to Shepardstown to see
wounded men, Hathaway, Brown, Dement and Lieutenant
Crews. A minie ball passed through his chest
at Sharpsburg. (I had no idea he could live; but in
1870 and 1871 I was his pastor at Oxford. ) Spend night
at Hon. Alex. Boteler's. Go to see Captain Osborn at
Shepardstown. Among the brave men left at Shepardstown,
too badly wounded at Sharpsburg to be taken
any distance, was Col. W. L. DeRossett, of Wilmington,
North Carolina. I there first met him and his
venerable father, Dr. A. J. DeRossett. (The Colonel
lived a cripple for life, was largely useful, and raised
an interesting family. The father lived to extreme old
age and died in 1897. ) Get Lieutenant Harrell's sword.
George K. Harrell was wounded at Sharpsburg, but returned
to duty and carried that sword till he was killed,
May 12, 1864. See Colonel McGill at house of Dr.
Lucas, two and a half miles out. His wife is with him.

Oct. 21 - Captain Witherspoon and I ride to Winchester.
He meets Mrs. R. H. Apperson at hotel in
trouble. She rides in ambulance to near Whitehall
and thence on saddle to Mr. Zephaniah Silver's and
finds her husband convalescent. Happy soldier! Happy
wife! Silver family so nice and kind. Two sons in
our army.

Oct. 24 - Fail to get clothing which I much need.
Get marching orders.

Oct. 25 - Division moves and begins to tear up track
of W and Harper's Ferry R. R. Our Brigade operates
on track below Charlestown during the night in a cold
rain.

Sunday, Oct. 26 - Cool rain. Sit till noon under
tent in front of fire. Brigades of troops passing to and
fro through rain. Men suffer. Very cool rain and
wind all night. Large fire in front of tent all night.

Oct. 27 - Brigade goes off to tear up railroad track.
Revs. Power, Long and I go to Charlestown and ride
on the spot of John Brown's execution, and see the
prison in which he was confined. Lovely little town.

mile to camp, some without shoes. Water freezes by
my side as I lie on the ground.

Nov. 7 - Snow begins to fall at 10 a. m. Bad day
on bare feet.

Nov. 8 - General Hill calls for volunteers to render
daring, dangerous service for two or three days. We
have prayers at our fire.

Nov. 9 - Division moves to Strasburg. Barefoot
men march in snow. Bury H. Y. Kirkpatrick at night
in Presbyterian cemetery. He enlisted at nineteen,
from Mecklenburg county. Lovely Christian. Died in
the house of Mrs. Davis, November 8th, 10:30 p. m.
How sad the sight! How tenderly a few of his comrades
raked away the snow, dug the grave and laid the
noble youth away! The chaplain's prayer is that he
and they may meet him on the Resurrection Day.

Nov. 11 - Brigade moves six or seven miles and
tears up railroad track at night.

Nov. 12 - Hear Bro. Moore preach in his camp.

Nov. 13 - Bro. Power and I ride to Strasburg and
visit hospitals, and see Robt. L. White die. A Christian.
New Testament in his bosom.

Nov. 14 - Visit sick at hospitals in Strasburg.

Nov. 15 - I walk out to study my Bible. Wash day
in 2nd Regiment. Bank of branch lined some distance
with men half naked, some washing pants and drawers,
others washing shirts and some picking their clothing.
Some half naked holding their wet clothes to the fire to
dry. Sad sight! Would make wives, mothers and
sisters weep.

Sunday, Nov. 16 - Inspection in morning. I preach
in afternoon, and Bro. Power and I deliver the Holy
Communion to twenty persons. At night Dr. Garrett
and Dr. Smith, who could not be present in the afternoon,
receive it in my tent, Dean, a negro servant, also.

Strasburg. Visit sick at hospitals, one man dying, no
one knows who or where from.

GETTING A FURLOUGH.

Nov. 18 - As my Conference was to meet in Raleigh
December 3, I had made application for leave of absence
and my furlough had not come. So I get duplicate and
take it to officers myself. Leave General Hill at 2:45
p. m., ride ten and a half miles to General Jackson's
headquarters, get my paper signed, return late. My
first papers came to hand ten or twenty minutes after
I left.

Nov. 19 - In camp. Moses Ezzell very ill. Prayer
meeting at night.

GETTING HOME! FIVE DAYS!

Nov. 20 - Six miles on saddle, twelve on wagon, five
on foot.

Nov. 21 - Wagon and ambulance to Mt. Crawford.
Spend night in Baptist church with fifty or sixty sick
men. Pray with them. All seem to feel. Many happy.
Almost all of them Christians.

Nov. 22 - Take stage at 3 a. m. Pass Willow Pump
- a curiosity. Some one had planted a willow post near
a gate on the roadside to discharge the water from an
underground pipe, the willow sprouted, made quite a
tree and still discharged the water. Such a blessing to
thirsty soldiers. Take cars to Staunton and reach
Richmond.

Nov. 23 - Miss Wilmington train at Weldon and go
on to Raleigh. Hear sermon at M. E. church and greet.
several friends warmly. Call on Mrs. Seaton Gales and
pay her $250 from her husband. Lovely woman. Children
all sick with scarlet fever, and her husband far
away. Sleep on parlor floor in W. T. Bain's hotel.

buggy to Capt. Jo. Green's. He gives me a good horse
and saddle to D. D. Allen's.

Nov. 25 - Bro. Allen sends me in buggy, and I see
my family once more. All well. Thank God! Fever
from vaccination makes me delirious during night.
Had not seen family since July 31. In going home
from the army I met Lieut. E. Ruark, of Co. C. on his
way home at Smithville, on sick furlough. We sat together
for many, many miles, and parted at Wilmington.
He went home and died of smallpox, spreading it
and killing his mother and others. Narrow escape for
me and mine. Neither of us thought of the danger.

Nov. 29 - Preach at Bladen Springs.

GETTING TO CONFERENCE.

Dec. 3, 1862 - Start to Raleigh, about ninety miles,
taking wife, three children and a nurse. Rain all day.
Spend night with Bro. Sykes.

Dec. 4 - Pass Fayetteville. Spend night with J. H.
Hawley, one of the best men I ever knew.

Dec. 5 - Rain all day. Spend night with Allen
Betts, my brother.

Dec. 6 - Clear and cold. Ride to Alvin Betts, my
brother.

Dec. 7 - Hear Bishop Early preach in Raleigh.

Dec. 8 - Day in Conference. A letter from Uncle
Foster Utley, Chapel Hill, leads me to send my family
to that place.

Dec. 9 - Send family on cars to Chapel Hill, while I
turn my face towards Bladen alone. After four days
of lonely riding I reach my wife's boarding place and
pack books and clothes, and take Steamer Hurt for
Fayetteville. Pay Jo. Russ ten dollars to take my carriage
to Fayetteville.

Dec. 16 - Take cars to Egypt. Find no horse there
for me. Walk about ten miles, and ride on a mule-cart
about the same distance and reach Pittsboro. Sup with
John Womach. He sends me to Chapel Hill, eighteen
miles, on a mule-cart Get there at 7 a. m.

Jan. 9 - Snow on ground. Capt. Collins and I go on
to Guinea Station, and thence to our regiment. Meet
Rev. F. M. Kennedy, of the South Carolina Conference,
on his way to report for duty as Chaplain for 28th
North Carolina Regiment, now in General Lee's army.

Sunday Jan. 25. - Hear Bro. Barkley of Nash county,
N. C., preach to my regiment in a. m., Bro. Power in
p. m., and at wagon yard at night.

Jan. 26 - Ride to Division Surgeon for W. H. Westcott
of Smithville. That must have been the last I saw of
that noble boy. He was dying of chronic diarrhoea.
He got as far as Wilmington, where he died Feb.
28, 1864. His good father and mother were my friends.
Glad I put up my tent on 26, for it snows all day on 28.

Jan. 29 - Men very cheerful, though the snow is
nearly knee deep.

Sunday February 1 - Preach in camp. Visit our
regiment on picket about three miles away. Rain at
night.

February 2 - Seven years ago! My first son, Henry
Watson, was born in Mrs. Meade's Hotel, Martinsville,
Va. That morning I knelt silently upon the floor in my
wife's room and prayed and wept when I first felt parental

responsibility. God bless my boy today! Seven
years old! May he spend many useful, happy years on
earth and get safe to Heaven! God bless the mother today,
and Willie and Mamie. My dear sainted Eddie!
Safe in Heaven! Your father hopes to embrace you by-
and-by in your angel home. Wrote to wife and Mrs.
Meade.

Feb. 3 - Exceedingly cold.

Feb. 4 - Still very cold. Freezes my ink.

Feb. 5 - Snow begins falling early and falls steadily.

Feb. 6 - Ride four miles in rain, hunting a cabin
for Jack Faircloth, Co. A., who is very sick and weak.
He will die.

Feb. 7 - Send to Gen. Rodes for brigade to be
allowed to go to church on Sunday.

Feb. 10 - Visit Brigade Hospital established yesterday.
Pray with patients and Dr. Guffy. Poor Faircloth
says he loves Jesus because He loved him. I, this morning,
finished my fifth annual reading through the Bible.
On Sampson Circuit, 1857, I went the first time regularly
through this Holy Book. I hope to read it carefully
through every year of my future life. Jack Faircloth
dies at night. Bad night with my cough.

Feb. 18 - Rains gently all day. I walk to new camp
through rain and mud.

Feb. 19 - Pray with regiment.

Feb. 20 - Regiment goes on picket just below Fredericksburg.
Ride to Fredericksburg. Call at store house
of Arthur Bernard. Sad destruction of his property. He
has not been seen since the enemy took him in Dec.
Fine paintings in one room, "Hope and Memory,"
"Cleopatra," etc. Call on Bro. Owen, Chaplain 17th
Mississippi Regiment. Meet Rev. Dr. Stiles at sister
Fitzgerald's. Night in camp.

Feb. 22 - Rise at six, and find snow a foot deep.
Snows nearly all day. Sit in my tent and read and write.
Hear many heavy guns just at 12. Washington's
Birthday.

March 11 - Attend and pray at college prayers at
University of N. C. Buy corn.

March 12 - At 9 P. M., start to my regiment.
Hard to part with family under such circumstances.
Muddy ride to Durham. No seat to Raleigh! No seat
to Weldon! Trains all miss connection at Weldon.
Delay seven hours there.

March 14 - Reach Richmond thirty-four and a half
hours after leaving Chapel Hill. Standing all the way
on trains. Walk to Winder Hospital. Thence to Seabrook
Hospital. Call on Gen. Winder for Mrs. H. & B.

March 16 - Meet chaplains of the 2nd corps at
Baptist church near Division Headquarters. Pleasant
meeting. Rev. B. T. Lacy will be of great service to us.
Only forty-four chaplains in corps. Without chaplains,
forty-seven regiments and battalions, besides artillery.

March 22 - Clear in p. m. I read to our Regiment
the address of Dr. Ford to the Army of the Southwest.

March 24 - Meet chaplains of this corps at Round
Oak church. Am made chairman and elected to preach
to them at next meeting. Thus meeting, talking, planning
and praying, we find great help for our work.

Thirtieth and Second Regiments in our camp. Attention
good. Day well observed.

March 28 - Rain all day. Finish writing to churches
for Co. G. Note: I talked with each church member in
each company about his spiritual condition as often as I
could. Once a year I wrote home to each church about
its members and sent any message anyone wanted to
send, and asked the church at home to pray for us. This
was expensive, laborious work, but it was for souls
whom Jesus died to save. I trust many soldiers and
many members at home were benefitted by the labor
About 11 years after the war I met Rev. Paul Smith, a
local preacher, near Mt. Pleasant. He told me he had a
letter from me during the war. I told him I had no recollection
of having written to him. He said he was class
leader at Cold Spring church in those days, and my letter
was about old Bro. Hagler. The "Roster of N. C.
Troops" says he enlisted from Sampson county Sept. 12,
1863. I cannot blame the editor of the roster for a mistake
once in a while. He had so many thousands of
names and dates, the wonder is that he made so few
mistakes. Bro. Hagler was from Cabarrus county, 44
years old and left a wife and six children. The Roster
gives no account of his death. He fell dead suddenly
near Spottsylvania Court House May 1864. He was a
good man and I loved him. The reader must imagine
my feelings when I found I was the pastor of John
Hagler's wife and children. Glad and sad was my
heart every time I visited them.)

April 7 - Meet chaplains of this corps. Preach to
them and many others. Good meeting. All day with
them. Such meetings warm the heart and encourage
us.

April 8 - In camp busy writing to the officers of
thirteen regiments asking them if they wish our next
conference to send them chaplains. Lieut. Ellis goes to
work to raise money to buy a horse for his chaplain.
Col. P. gives twenty dollars, others smaller sums.

April 9 - My application for leave of absence, to be
with my wife during "an important crisis" returns
"disapproved!" It was approved by regiment, brigade
and division commanders but "disapproved" by corps
commander, T. J. Jackson. I felt no bitterness toward
him, as he was conscientious. I think he had never
seen his only child, Julia. He set great store on the
presence and services of chaplains among the soldiers.
He knew the campaign would soon open, and he
wanted chaplains to be on hand to care for the wounded
and dying. He and others must trust their wives in
God's hands and he thought chaplains ought.

"Respectfully forwarded disapproved, T. J. Jackson."

Whatever "Stonewall" disapproved we might expect
Gen. Lee to disapprove. My heart sank within me
when I read the short, last entry: "Respectfully returned
disapproved by order of Gen. R. E. Lee." My
diary gives some of the cries of my heart in that sad
hour.

April 12 - I kept a little volume in my bosom, giving
a verse of scripture for each day in the year. The
verse for April 12 was Matt. 26, 42: "Oh, my Father.
if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink
it, Thy will be done." By his help I said: "Thy will
be done," and went on happy in my work. Bro J.
Wm. Jones, 13th Va. and Dr. Curtis, 57th N. C. Regiments
arrive. Bro. Jones preaches for me. Dine
and walk to Bro. Jones' regiment and preach. After
supper I walk alone by Hamilton's Crossing to camp.
Letter from Bishop Atkinson.

April 13 - In camp. Visit Geo. T. Swain at
Younge's.

April 14 - Meet chaplains. Rev. Brigadier General
Pendleton, D. D., was with us. Bro. Nelson preaches.
Happy meeting. Chaplains agree to pray for each
other at sunset every day.

April 15 - Rainy day. Oh, Mary, I expected to
start to you to-day!

April 16 - Write to Mary. Visit 20th and 12th
Regiments.

April 17 - Walk to Hamilton's Crossing to get telegram
from wife. Buy twenty-four Testaments. Bro.
Jones walks back to 60th Georgia Regiment with me.

April 18 - Chaplains Patterson and Smith at prayers
with us. I preach to Gordon's Brigade. Bro. Lacy
preaches in p. m.

to buy. Not finding a suitable one for sale, when the
spring campaign, soon to open, made such demand for
them, my Colonel encouraged me to apply for ten days
furlough to go to North Carolina to buy one, hoping I
might yet reach my wife in time to see her pass an
impending crisis.

Tuesday, Apr. 21 - Damp morning. Receive two
men into the church at morning prayers. Start to
North Carolina.

At the beginning of the Confederate War, a chaplain
was not allowed forage for a horse. I believe the
U. S. Army Regulations never considered a Chaplain a
mounted officer. My Colonel always drew forage for
my horse as one of his. I am told that "Stonewall"
Jackson asked our Congress to allow forage for each
Chaplain, because he thought they could be so much
more active and efficient by being mounted. My being
mounted gave me a chance to help many a foot-sore,
sick or wounded man. I could walk for hours and give
a ride to the foot-sore or wounded. I could stop or turn
aside and look after the wounded, and then hurry on
and overtake my Regiment.

Apr. 29, 1863 - Over thirty-three years have passed
since I wrote my diary for the above day. With a
grateful heart I copy the exact words. "I wish here
devoutly to acknowledge that merciful Providence that
has guided me for twenty days past." I leave wife
and little ones early. God blesses me at the family

altar. Ride on horseback. Spend night with Mrs. M.
Waller at Knap O'Reeds. Bros. Peed and Tilly called
and sat with me awhile.

Apr. 30 - Meet Rev. W. C. Gannon, my Conference
class-mate at Tally Ho. He rides with me to Oxford. I
dine with Rev. L. K. Willie. Miss my way and meet
Col. C. P. Taylor. He went out as Captain of Co. "G"
of 30th Regiment, but retired in May 1861. He lived
and died a noble Christian. Pass Williamsboro,
Townsville, and spend night with Charles Taylor.

May 4 - Ride six miles to Powhattan Court House
and hear everything. A Federal Cavalry raid had been
spreading terror on the opposite side of the river. Meet
Rev. Blinco of Virginia Conference. Ride twelve miles
toward Jude's Ferry. Dine and go six miles further
down the river by Manakin Ferry and stop with Mrs.
Mosely. How excited the people! God alone can keep
us quiet. Bless His name! I am in "perfect peace!"

May 5 - Ride fifteen miles to Richmond. Telegraph
to Mary. Seven days in the saddle, from Chapel Hill
to Richmond. Had not heard a word from my family
yet. I think those had been the happiest seven days of
my life up to that time. "Praising my Savior all the
day long." When I knelt at sun-set in the woods and

prayed for the Chaplains, the soldiers, my country and
my family, my soul was so happy. That telegram must
have gladdened the heart of the little wife, who could
not know where the husband was. She expected me to
cross James River above Richmond, and did not write
to me there.

May 6 - Damp and cool. Rain all day.

May 7 - Pass 11th
and 62nd Regiments going to
Hamilton's Crossing. Write to wife from Ashland, in
the home of Rev. D. T. Wills.

May 8 - Ride over the worst roads I ever saw to old
camp and find my Regiment there. Some are gone
forever!

May 9 - Prayers with my men. Hear from family.
Doing well, thank God!

Saturday, May 9, 1863 - Spend day among wounded.
Most of the wounded of our Regiment get off on
train to hospitals. Many poor strangers suffer for attention,
though surgeons and nurses do all they can.

May 10 - Preach in camp. Second and Fourth regiments
worship with us. General thanksgiving day for
our late victory. The "victory" cost many lives.
Many husbands left widows and orphans. When I
made that point in my sermon, and gave number of
widows and orphans left by those who fell in the 30th
regiment, Gen. Grimes gave special attention, and
stopped to speak to me after preaching, and said he
wished he knew how many widows and orphans were
left by all who fell in Lee's army in the last battle I
spend p. m. among wounded at railroad. Gen. Jackson
dies at 3 p. m.

May 21 - Rev. N. B. Cobb and Rev. J. A. Stradly,
of North Carolina, come to Second Regiment.

May 22 - Bro. Stradly preaches for 2nd and 30th in
a. m., Bro. Cobb in p. m. Prayer meeting in each at
night.

May 23 - I preach to 2nd and 30th. Several converts.

May 24 - I preach twice. Baptize J. A. Underwood.
Several converts. Bro. Cobb baptizes one of the 30th
and four of 14th Regiments at 5 p. m.

May 25 - Examine two candidates for Missionary
Baptist Church. Rev. J. H. Colton, Chaplain 53rd Regiment
spends night with me. He had been my classmate
three years at his father's school, Summerville,
N. C., and three years at Chapel Hill.

May 26 - Meet Chaplains. Bro. Stradly preaches
for me at night.

May 28 - Bro. Howard, of Sampson County, North
Carolina, comes to my regiment and preaches for me.
The Lord pours out His Spirit. We see twelve penitents
and five converts.

June 20 - Damp and dark. Retrace my steps and
sleep in a barn near Hagerstown. Write wife by Bro.
Stallings, Quartermaster Sergeant.

June 21 - Very unwell. Bro. Cobb preaches for our
Brigade. Several are immersed in p. m.

June 22 - Division moves toward Chambersburg,
Pa. Dr. J. V. Simmons in Hagerstown, fills a tooth for
me and will not charge a "rebel." Enter Pennsylvania
and camp near Green Castle.

June 23 - In camp. Seven penitents at night.

June 26 - Prayer meeting in J. Kenigg's barn.

June 27 - Hard march. Mud! Mud! Pass
through Carlisle and camp in United States Barracks.
I sleep on ground. Get two letters from wife. Daughter
sick June 4. God spare her!

Sunday, June 28 - Bro. Lacy preaches to three
North Carolina Brigades in the forenoon. I preach in
the afternoon and baptize five by pouring. (In 1896 I
met one of them in North Carolina. He told me I
baptized him at Carlisle; but I smelt whiskey on his
breath in 1896.) Bro. Brooks and I baptise four each,
in a pool near by. Pleasant day, but not much spirituality
among the soldiers. Write to Mary at night.

June 29 - Rainy. Ride into Carlisle. Call on Marshall
in College grove. Meet Rev. Dr. Johnson, President
of Dickinson College. When Rev. Dr. Deems

graduated there, he did not know his oldest son would
hear preaching for the last time at this place and then
march on to Gettysburg to be killed. Meet Rev. Grandin
of Baltimore Conference, who graduated here eighteen
years ago. Meet Dr. Johnson's daughter, a bright
young woman, who asks me some questions. "Mr.
Betts, what was your object in joining the army? Was
it to help the rebellion?" I told her I could not have
taken the oath of office as Chaplain if I had not been
in full sympathy with the Confederate cause, but I did
not think it so weak as to need my help. I told her my
love for souls led me into the work. Fixing her eyes
on mine, she said: "Mr. Betts, would you be willing
to see the Union restored?" I quickly said: "Miss
Johnson, I would rejoice to see the Union 'restored,'
but you and I will never see it 'restored.' " Visit Federal
prisoners at night.

June 30 - Division crosses Blue Ridge and camp
half a mile beyond Heidleburg. Dark rainy evening.
I sit on a fence and write to my wife and tell her I
expect to sleep on two rails on top of that fence, while
soldiers sleep among the rocks around me. I add:
"Thank God! I am happy." Happiness does not depend
so much on our surroundings as some may think.
Once I was not happy while it seems I should have
been. Walking with some young people across the
beautiful University grounds in North Carolina I said:
"Miss Julia, it seems that a young man ought to be
happy here." That expression was a confession that I
was not happy. What a contrast!

July 1 - Division moves six miles by Middle Town
and six and a half to Gettysburg and drive the enemy
two miles. Col. Parker, Capt. C. N. Allen, Lieut.
Brown and many others are wounded. Among the
killed are: G. L. Swain, S. M. Hewitt, John C. Goodwin,
John H. Mason and J. B. Whitley.

entered just below one eye and came out just below
the other, cutting the nasal tubes. When I knelt by
him and prayed for him and his wife and children, he
seemed about to strangle with the blood. I stopped
praying and held my arm lovingly over him till he was
quiet. He got home, returned to duty, and received
another wound at Spottsylvania, and was then put on
post duty.

Capt. Allen's right arm was so broken up that it
had to be amputated. His case will interest others.
He had an idea that surgeons were fond of cutting off
men's limbs. Dr. Briggs asked me to see him and try
to influence him, for he refused to allow his arm amputated.
Capt. Allen had lately married Miss Johns in
Wake County, N. C. I prayed silently as I went to
where he lay. Kneeling by him, I said, "Capt. I long
for you to get home and see that lovely young wife,
who is praying for you, but you will never see her if
you try to keep that arm." We looked silently into
each other's eyes. After a while, he said: "Mr. Betts,
I wish you would call Briggs to me." I called Dr.
Briggs! (Nine years after I met him in Wake. He
took me to his home. Introducing me to his wife, he
said, "Bro. Betts, I want to confess to you in the presence
of my wife that I owe my life to you." The
reader must imagine my feelings.)

July 2 - Part of the day among wounded men.
Visited Brigade in town. A fearful fight from 3 till 9
p. m.

July 3 - Move hospital early. Brother Stradley and
I were riding over the fields from one hospital to another,
when I fell from my horse at noon, not knowing
I had fallen, and remaining unconscious for an hour.
Loss of sleep and excitement may have led to the vertigo.
God could take a man out of this world without
his knowing anything of it. Col. Bennett wounded.
Lieut. Connell, of Co. G., killed.

July 4 - Move corps hospital early to a barn three
miles towards Fairfield. Bury Lieut. Connell and a
man of the 4th N. C. Regiment. I wrote to the young
man's father, near Statesville, and told him I had buried
his son. (At a Conference in Statesville, Dec. 1868, a
lady called for me and told me her father, an old man
too feeble to ride to town, asked her to come and find
me and give his love to me, and thank me for what I
had done for him. As we sat and wept, I felt a
thousand times paid for my labor and my ten-cent postage
stamp.)

Col. Parker and Bennett start for Virginia in ambulance.

July 6 - Division moves slowly on through Fountain
Dale Gap.

July 7 - Move on and camp one-and-a-half miles
from Hagerstown.

July 8 - Rain and wind for five days.

July 9 - Ride to Williamsport to see our wounded.

July 10 - Day among wounded.

July 11 - Go out to Regiment in line of battle.
Pray with them in the afternoon.

July 12 - Preach to Regiment in a. m. Get three
letters from Mary in p. m. All well, thank the Lord.

July 13 - Visit Regiment. Rain. Late in the afternoon
start for Virginia, at twilight. Ride down
through rain and mud to pontoon bridge at Falling
Water. Cross at 10:30 and pass on in rain and mud to
within one mile of Martinsburg. Sleep a little on two
rails under a wagon. God bring our soldiers over
safely!

July 14 - Ride in rain to Martinsburg, and stop
with Mr. Doll. His son Dick is in 2d Va. Regiment.
Meet Dr. Hoge. Dr. Witherspoon extracts a tooth for
me.

July 15 - Spend a. m. as yesterday with sick and
wounded. Army passing all day. Fever in p. m. and
night. Night in field near Martinsburg.

July 16 - Very unwell. Army moves on. I stop
and rest at Dr. Burkhart's in Darkville. Night in tent
with Bro. Stradley. Heard from Mary. She and
children are "prayerful, hopeful and happy." Got letter
from Bro. Deems, inquiring after his son, Lieut. T.
D. Deems, and asking me to come to see him. Dr.
Deems left us for North Carolina June 9. He heard
his son was wounded at Gettysburg, and had come to
Winchester hoping to see or hear something of him.
The military authorities did not allow citizens just
then to go to our army. All he could do was to ask me
to come to see him. Bro. Stradley held prayer meeting
for 2d and 20th.

July 17 - Rain, rain. Ask leave to go to Winchester
to see Dr. Deems. Colonel approves. Brigade and
division commanders say there is no need for me to go!
They offer to send my written statement! I meet
Bro. B. T. Lacy in camp. He asks me if I have a
"pass at will" from the corps commander. I tell him
that is what every Chaplain ought to have. He asks
me to stand still a moment. He steps into Lieutenant
General's tent and returns with the needed pass. I
gallop to Winchester and find Dr. Deems gone. The
division commander meets me on the street. Does not
ask me how I came. I wanted him to ask. I was anxious
to show him my pass. It served me a good purpose
many times in trying to do my duty as Chaplain
in caring for sick and wounded men, and in going from
point to point in that army. Colonel Christie dies.

July 31 - Ride to court house. Much edified by an
hour's chat with sister of Rev. Lemon. Begin sermon
in p. m. and we suddenly receive marching orders.

Saturday, August 1 - Division moves toward Orange
Court House. I go with Bro. Stradley into Gordonville
with sick. Moon-light night on the road. Pray with
Dr. Adams and his drivers. Get to Regiment one mile
beyond Orange Court House before sunrise.

August 21 - Fast day. Prayer meeting at sunrise.
Preach at 7. Hear Bro. Lacy at Gen. Ewell's at 11.
Preach to 2nd Regiment at 4 p. m. Assist in communion
in the 14th at night. I baptize two men. Perhaps
one hundred and fifty take Lord's Supper.

August 22 - Dine at Bro. Newman's. He and his
old Christian wife came to preaching in camp. Her
voice, with a thousand male voices, reminded us of the
voices of mothers, wives, sisters, and daughters we
once heard and now longed to hear again.

October 6 - Meet Chaplains at Pisgah Church. Go
with Bro. Rumple toward Orange courthouse. Spend
night at Mr. Grymes'. Noble family. Man and wife and
several daughters seem so glad to entertain us. Some
officers there, too. Two armies had been for a long
time using the food of that section. We saw no servant
in the princely home. The bright young women waited
on the table very gracefully. No reference was made
to servants or short food supply The only food we saw
or tasted was corn-bread, milk and butter. My heart
did bless them then, and blesses them now. They accepted
the situation gracefully.

October 7 - While we stood by the train at the depot
we saw in the ladies' coach a nurse with a little child.
I asked her to hold him up that I might see him. I said,
"Nurse, please pinch him, I want to hear a baby cry."
The ladies looked out to see a crazy man.

October 11 - Pass Bethlehem Church. Meet Mrs.
Griffin, 86 years old, has never joined any church. Says
her husband kept her out 36 years ago. Camp four and
a half miles from Courthouse. Rev. Dr. Boyce preaches
at night.

October 12 - Pass E. and drive enemy from Jefferson
Sulphur Springs.

October 13 - Pass Warrenton. Meet Ed. M. Spillman
- a prince.

October 14 - A skirmish early. I remain with
wounded at Allison's house.

He was very respectful to me, but showed no signs
of any care for his soul till April last. About the time I
was disappointed in my hopes to go home, he began to
seek my company and give good attention to preaching.
He became deeply convicted and was happily converted
and I took him into the Missionary Baptist Church, and
sent his name to the home church the day I started home
If I had gone home at the time I first proposed, he
might not have been converted. Just before he breathed
his last I asked him about his case. He sweetly
smiled and said: "Bro. Betts as soon as I die I shall go
straight to my blessed Jesus!" That was a happy moment
to me. As I write about it in October 1896 the joy
I feel pays me a thousand times for all the nights I ever
slept on frozen ground, snow or mud.

October 16 - Rain a. m. Bury Ruffin. Send sick
and wounded to Rappahannock Station by Dr. W.
Leave and follow Regiment, and sleep in vacant house
at Greenwich. Visit Mr. Green, a British subject. Supper

Nov. 1, 1863 - Fine day. Rev. Anderson, Chaplain
4th Regiment, preaches his first sermon at my chapel.
Why don't I hear from wife? Thirteen days ago she
was not well. May be in heaven! God's will be done!
Get letter. All well. Prayer meeting at night.

Saturday, Nov. 7 - Hear Dr. Rosser preach to 4th
and 14th Regiments. Get bottle of sacramental wine.
While reading a letter from wife, a fierce cannonade
begins at Kelly's Ford, where the 2nd and 3rd suffer
sadly. Lieut. Col. Sillers is mortally wounded. Some
are wounded and many captured. Army falls back. I
tear down my little house to get my cot out. Had occupied
the sweet little home one week. Felt some regret,
as I may feel, when called to leave the "earthly
house" I now occupy in flesh. Sleep a little on the
road, and get to Brandy Station at 2 a. m.

Nov. 8 - Pass on and get to Rapidan Station and
spend night. Sorry I could not find Col. Sillers last
night Brigade crosses at Raccoon Ford late at night.

Nov. 9 - Ride down the river to the camp we left a
month ago to-day. Find Brigade there. Snows a little.
Prayers at night.

Nov. 10 - Anxious to hear from Col. Sillers, I ride
to Orange court house, but hear on the way he died at
Gordonville at 9 a. m. yesterday. Shall I see him on
earth no more? Telegraph to learn his body has been
sent home. Telegraph to my wife also.

Nov. 11 - Get telegram that Sillers' body is still at
Gordonville. Take cars to Gordonsville and find his
body nicely packed in charcoal. Return to Orange
Court House and spend night at Bro. Walker's, eight
miles toward camp.

Nov. 12 - Return to camp. Meet Johnston's division.

Nov. 13 - Just as Bro. McAlpin is about to begin a
sermon to us, we get orders to march. We march five
or so miles out and go into camp.

Dec. 26 - Ride to Orange Court House and learn
that J. A. Pegram had died suddenly last night at Dr.
Black's hospital.

Dec. 27 - Rain. Rain. No preaching. Prayer
meeting in Co. E.

Dec. 28 - Get tent of my own. Rain.

Dec. 29 - Clear and very muddy. Meet Chaplains
at Pisgah Church. Night in my own tent. Pay fifteen
dollars for building wall and chimney.

Dec. 30 - Prayer meeting in some Co. every night -
in "G" tonight Good men. Every night, everywhere,
Co. G. has family prayers Cheatham is sick.

Dec. 31 - Writing and reading until near midnight.
Write to Mary. Keep "watch night." On my knees
at midnight. A New Year begins! Oh, may it be a
good year! May it bring peace to my land! May it
carry me and my fellow soldiers to our several homes.
Sorry for the follies of the past year. May I be able to
spend the new one more for God's glory!

Jan. 5 - Get three wagons to take my boards to
camp. Rev. J. J. Hines, sent by Bishop Pierce to be a
Chaplain for Hoke's Brigade, arrives and spends night
with me.

Jan. 6 - Carry Bro. Hines to Hoke's Brigade. Make
arrangements for his comfort and return.

Jan. 7 - Call to see Bro. Howard, colporter for
Johnston's Brigade.

Jan. 8 - Ride to Orange with Bro. Anderson. Ten
Chaplains there. No regular meeting. Postoffice clerks
offended. Some time before I had found a large amount
of printed matter at the Post Office for my Regiment,
which the clerks had neglected to send us from day to
day. I wrote a note to the Postmaster and asked him
to stir up his clerks. I presume he stirred them up.
Some of the handsome young men were of the right
age to be soldiers. They had been detailed as Army
postal clerks. My note to the Chief gave them some fear
of being sent to ranks. They looked at me in anger
and asked me to tell them when I had anything to complain
of. I am glad to say I never found occasion to
complain again.

Sunday, Jan. 10 - Cold. Prayer meetings in Company
quarters.

Jan 11 - Get a few poles for my chapel.

Jan 12 - Meet Chaplains at Pisgah. Get poles all
cut for chapel.

Jan. 13 - Haul poles and begin my chapel.

Jan. 14 - Still at work on chapel. Chaplains of this
division met in my tent yesterday.

Jan. 16 - Get roof and chimneys finished. Having
labored with my detail and conducted prayer meeting
every night, I feel very much wearied.

Jan. 21 - Ride by Kirkland's Brigade and see Bros.
Webb, Lacy and Smith. Chapel up. Meet Bros. Hines
and Paris on their way to North Carolina with Hoke's
Brigade. Go late to Lane's Brigade, looking for Bro.
Westbrook. Night with Bro. Kennedy.

Jan. 22 - Return to Regiment and find Col. Parker
arrived yesterday.

Jan. 23 - Ride with Bro. N. B. Cobb to see Johnston's
Brigade and also see Bro. Gwaltney in First
North Carolina Regiment. Bro. Robbins, (J. H.) 12th
Regiment, arrives and preaches for me.

Feb. 6, 1864 - Revs. F. H. Wood and J. H. Colton
arrive. I get a ream of heavy paper. The manufacturers
in Wake County sent it to me, at my request, to
be given to the men of my Regiment for writing paper.
Sheets were very large. Yankees cross Rapidan and
our men repel them.

Sunday, Feb. 7 - As my Regiment did not return
from picket, I go to see provost guard and prisoners
and worship with them. One is to be shot.

Mar. 9 - He leaves for North Carolina against my
earnest advice. Bro. Gibbons goes to see R. S. Webb.
Squires starts writing school again. I preach at night.
My Colonel was kind enough to detail Squires to teach
a writing school in my chapel. The Captains allowed
men to attend the school when not on duty. (Many
men learned to write during the war).

May 7 - Not much fighting. Spend day nursing
wounded Federals. Find a son of Rev. B. H. Hedge, of
Detroit Conference, M. E. Church, of Co. I. 24th Michigan
Regiment. Wounded through left thigh. Did he
get home? Is he still living?

(NOTE - Found Wm. E. Pell, son of Rev. W. E.
Pell, of N. C. Conference, at Chimborazo Hospital. He
told me he wished to get to some other. He was well
cared for, but was the only N. C. soldier there and was
lonely. I secured his transfer to N. C. Hospital in the
same city. He lovingly reminded me of it frequently
in Raleigh after the war. )

June 8 - Preach to my Regiment. Messing with
Dr. G. L. Kirby.

June 9 - Rev. N. B. Cobb preaches for me. Division
moves and he and I go to Richmond at midnight.

June 10 - Visit wounded in two hospitals.

Sunday, June 12 - Rev. Best preaches for me, and
Dr. Brown for 4th Regiment.

Sunday, July 10 - Move all day and camp near
Rockville. Baptize three children for Robert J. Henly,
Middle Brook, Md., and one for S. Mullican, Forest
Oak, Md. We marched all that Sabbath, but I took
time to stop and dedicate those children to the Lord.

July 11 - Pass R. and see Rev. Leach. Move on
through excessive heat to the "Blair House," near fortifications
around Washington City. First shell from
Federal fort falls in a grove near us about 2 p. m.

July 12 - Shelling and sharp shooting. Shearin
and Penny killed. Dement mortally wounded. At
night we begin to fall back. Tiresome night. Troops
halted to rest ten minutes in each hour. Many fell
asleep perhaps for eight minutes out of ten. Just before

day I was so tired and sleepy that I turned aside to
rest. I found a little graveyard near the roadside. I
knew some one might steal one of the two horses I had
charge of if I tied them and went to sleep. So I laid
down and drew the bridle reins through the fence and
put my arm into each. I was soon asleep. One horse
I suppose, bit the other. A sudden and fearful pulling
of the arm awoke me. Sleep was gone.

July 13 - Pass Rockville and Poolville.

July 14 - Cross Potomac. As I came near the river
a straggling soldier shouted to me and asked me to let
him ride the horse I was leading. I told him the horse's
back was so sore I could not myself ride him. In a
sharp angry tone he replied, "Yes, you think more of a
horse than you do of a man." I stopped. As he came
near, I said, "Young man, you ought not to speak to
me that way. I have waded the James and the Potomac
for a sick man to ride my horse. I will now wade
this river and let you ride over." He did not wait for
me to dismount. He hurried into the warm, shallow
water. I trust he and each reader will be slower to
judge others than he was that day.

July 15 - Buy a little black mare for fifty dollars
from the Quarter Master.

July 16 - Ride early to Leesburg to get shoe and
pants mended. Division passes Hamilton and cross
mountain at Snicker's Gap.

July 24 - Whole army moves back to Winchester
and drives the enemy with terror from their positions
above and about Winchester. Follow them four miles
below Winchester and camp. Many wagons burned.
Rain at night.

July 26 - Pass on to Martinsburg, but the enemy
was gone. Camp near railroad and begin to tear up
the track. Hear Bro. Thompson preach.

July 27 - Preach for Doles' Brigade. Bro. Powledge
preaches for us.

July 29 - Division moves early to Williamsport
Ferry.

July 30 - Move early to the camp we left yesterday.
Hear from Mary. Needs bread and money. "Nobody
wants to trust you!"

July 31 - Move early to Bunker Hill. Our Regiment
sent on picket. Preach to them in p. m.

August 4 - Move through Martinsburg and camp
near Falling Water.

August 5 - Move early and cross the Potomac and
camp a little beyond St. James College.

August 6 - Move early through rain and stop at
Williamsport. Meet Mr. E. P. Steffy a nd others
Quite a stir about those hostages from Hagerstown.
Cross river late and camp.

August 7 - Move early past M. and go into old camp
near Bunker Hill. Such running and chasing, back
and forth, crossing and re-crossing, night and day!
Such is war.

August 9 - Dine with Mr. Woolridge.

August 10 - Move early. Go by Mr. Silver's and
spend a few hours. Ride to Division four miles north
of Winchester.

Sept. 19 - Engage the enemy fiercely near Winchester
and drive them, and they drive us. Gen.
Rodes killed. Went into private house to see his body
after he was brought into Winchester. His wife had
spent some time in camp during preceding winter.
We fall back to Strasburg, marching all night. Riding
alone and very sad, at midnight, I overtake one or
two thousand Federal prisoners. They began to sing,
"We are going home to die no more." My heart was
touched. I shed tears as I thought many of them
would die in Southern prisons. Get fifty Testaments,
etc. Take position on breastworks near Strasburg.

Sept. 21 - Go to Woodstock to carry Capt. Allen's
furlough. He had been wounded and told me he did
not wish to be sent to a hospital. I made application
for special wounded furlough, that he might go to his
parents and sisters in N. C. I took it to the Regimental,
Brigade, Division and Corps Commanders and secured
each signature and was very glad when I could make
him happy by starting him home. This Capt. D. C
Allen was a brave, wicked man, but he lived to be a
Christian and his daughter is wife of Rev. E. C. Sell,
of the N. C. Conference.

Sept. 22 - Willie's birthday. 7 years. Breakfast
with Rev. Armstrong at Woodstock. He after many
years gave a bright son to N. C. as a Professor in
Trinity College. Return to Regiment. Fight and retreat
to Mt. Jackson.

Oct. 11 - Get to Harrisonburg. Find Foster and
Downes. Start two miles with Dr. Black's train.

Oct. 12 - Get to Mt. Jackson. Find Dr. Triplett's
family in great sorrow. Rev. Henry Hardin, of N. C.
had married a daughter of Dr. T. and had one child, a
son, of one year's age. I had seen the Rev. Mr. Hardin
in the Valley a few week's before. I called. Of the
woman who opened the door I inquired the whereabouts
of Rev. Hardin. She said. "He left here three
weeks ago, as your army retreated. We have not
heard from him since. He is perhaps in North Carolina.
The Federals arrested my aged husband and took
him up the Valley that day. They carried him through
here yesterday in an ambulance sick. I walked beside
him a short distance and handed him some clean clothing.
I cannot tell where or how he may be today.
Last night my daughter's child died." As she said
that she pushed open the door, and I saw a noble looking
woman kneeling by the sofa on which lay a beautiful
dead child. I knelt down and said, "Let us pray!"
The Lord did help us to cast our burden on Him. We
prayed for the sick grandfather, for the young father
and for the two mothers. I saw no one in the house
except the two women and the dead child. When
armies were passing through a town every family had
to "sorrow alone." As I rose up the young mother remained
kneeling, but turning gave me her hand saying:
"To whom am I indebted for this great kindness?"
I never gave my name with more grateful

pleasure. After the war, Rev. Mr. H. was Agent for
the American Bible Society and attended sessions of
our Methodist Annual Conference. He always said:
"Brother Betts, wife sends love to you."

After some years I saw a notice of his death. I
felt personally bereaved. Wishing to know the particulars
of his death and to offer my sympathies to his
family, I wrote to Mrs. H. at J. asking her to tell me
about his death and send me his picture. She sent his
picture and added that he said he would be on the
banks of the River waiting and watching for her.
Glory to God for such a hope!

Oct. 13 - My saddle had been stolen during my absence.
My baggage had been lost or misplaced. I
found mine, Dr. Logan's, Lieut. McNeil's and Mr.
Ball's on a forage wagon. Sup with Brother Armstrong
in W. and spend the night with our wagons
near Fisher's Hill.

Oct. 18 - Preach to Johnston's Brigade. Three divisions
move all night to get on enemy's flank.

Oct. 19 - Heavy fight and victory in a. m. But our
lines are broken in p. m. and we suffer much. Capt.
Moore, of Co. F. is killed. Mr. Elliott and Bro. Kittrell,
also, are killed. We fall back to Fisher's Hill.

Oct. 20 - Move to camp near New Market.

Oct. 21 and 22 - In camp.

Sunday, Oct. 23 - I preach in camp early and go to
hear Chaplain Landstreet of 1st Va. Cavalry preach
in M. E. Church of New Market at 11 a. m. In p. m.
I preach to Johnston's Brigade.

Nov. 1, '64 - Solemn day! Set apart in memory of
Generals Rodes and Ramseur. I preach in a. m. and
Brother Carson in p. m. Our Brigade has lost 305 men
since we left Winter quarters. They were killed and
died of wounds. They left 105 widows and about 300
children.

Nov. 2 - Preaching every night in Lutheran and
Methodist Churches. At 11 a. m. a few penitents at
prayer meeting.

Nov. 3 - I preach in Lutheran Church at night.
Rain.

Nov. 4 - Wind and rain Regiment goes on picket.
I get a furlough of 30 days from 17th instant to visit
my family and attend my Annual Conference. I attend
preaching in Lutheran Church and sup with Mr.
Tidler, a hatter. Mrs. Rutter, Miss Littell and others
are kind and attentive.

Woodstock. So we will never use our seats! God
grant we may all find seats in heaven.

Nov. 11 - Pass Middletown.

Nov 12 - Arrange to get Capt. Moore's body up the
Valley. Quarter-master gave me a wagon, team and
driver. The Colonel of my Regiment detailed a man to
assist me. Army was retreating. We pushed on to the
grave. It was now dark and snowing. There were two
graves! The good man living near by told us one of
them was Capt. M's. He knew not which. We dug
down till we found a Captain's uniform. We recognized
the dead and hastily put body in wagon. A few
miles up the pike we got a box I had bought for a coffin.
A few miles on we get tan-bark and pack around body
Journey all night. Our army camps at Fisher's Hill.
I write to Rev. McGill at Staunton and ask him to look
after Capt. M's. body and if he can not send it to N. C.
to bury and mark the spot. He did the latter. A few
weeks later the body was sent on and rests near old
Sparta, Pitt County, N. C.

Sunday, Nov. 13 - Army returns to Edinburg. I
rest and dine at Mrs. Hoover's. I surely needed rest
after the fatigue and excitement of the last day and
night.

Nov. 14 - Return to old camp three miles north of
New Market.

Nov. 15 - In camp.

Nov. 16 - Worship with my men Ride by P's.
Division. Dine with Chaplain Carson at Black's Hospital.
Visit Foote and others. Ride late in the night
and sleep with Rev. H. M. Brearley who was my classmate
many years, graduated with me in 1866 at University
of N. C., and is now Chaplain of a S. C. Regiment
in Lee's Army.

Nov 17 - Get to Staunton. See McGill, Downs and
others. Go to Waynesboro with Mr. Withrow. All
night on the train.

Nov. 18 - Get to Richmond and go on to Danville.
All night in darkness.

Nov. 19 - Meet Bill Salmon, of Henry County. He
is the only person I ever saw try to kill himself. At
Mead's Hotel, Martinsville, Va., in 1856, as my wife
and I sat at the table, he sat in front of us and drew
his knife across his throat. Some men took him away.
Another freight train takes me to Greensboro, N. C.
Dine with Rev. Wm. E. Edwards, a brother of Rev. Dr.
J. E. Edwards, of Va. Conference. Both were born
and raised near G. Spend night with Morris at Durham.

Sunday, Nov. 20 - Get home to breakfast at Chapel
Hill, N. C. Rains all day. Nearly nine months since
I saw my family. Thank God for his goodness to me
and them!

Nov 21 - At home.

Nov 22 - Visit Mr. Lloyd. Weather turns bitter
cold.

Nov. 23 - Visit sundry persons and families.

Nov. 24 - Visit Rev. G. W. Purifoy and others. His
father, friend of my parents and my boyhood friend,
raised three sons, all preachers - Geo. W., James F. and
Addison. My oldest daughter was converted under
the preaching of Rev. A. F. Purifoy, a son of James F.

Nov. 24 - This day I bought a barrel of home-made
syrup and some barrels of corn to feed my family for
1865.

Dec. 3 - Dine with Mrs. White, daughter of Rev.
Littlejohn Utley, who knelt by me and told me of
Jesus, Oct. 14, 1853, the first and only time I ever presented
myself as a penitent for prayer. Visit University
Halls, etc.

Sunday, Dec. 4 - Hear Brother Willis preach twice.

Dec. 5 - Wife and I start to Conference at Mocksville.
Reach Salisbury late. Sleep at Mansion House.
The preachers go on to M.

Dec. 7 - Conference meets and elects Rev. D. B.
Nicholson to preside. In M. we meet Sallie Pailey,
who afterward married Rev. S. D. Lee, of the N. C.
Conference, whom I loved most tenderly and whose
son, Wm. B. Lee, went as a missionary to Brazil. We
had many delightful interviews with old friends and
new ones during Thursday, Friday and Saturday at
Conference.

On Sunday we heard Rev. N. F. Reid preach and
enjoyed The Lord's Supper. Dr. McGuire sends us to
Dr. Chun's, where we spend the night.

Dec. 12 - We drive to Salisbury and go on to Durham
and spend night.

Dec. 13 - Ride early home to Chapel Hill.

Dec. 14 - Very busy at home getting in readiness to
leave.

Dec. 15 - Move my family to Stone's house. Get
off to Army again. Spend night in Durham.

Dec. 16 - Detained in Greensboro. Visit Sister
Bumpass.

Dec. 17 - Visit family of Jones Collier. He sat in
church at Chapel Hill, on the night I was a penitent
till all others retired and then gently proposed for me

to arise and retire. I long to see him in his heavenly
home. Start late and get to Danville and stop at Tunstall
House.

Sunday, Dec. 18 - Hear Rev. O. H. Hall preach.
Dine and sup with Bro. J. B. Pace, whom I met and
loved in Henry County, Va., in 1856. Meet Brother
Farley who had an interesting family in Martinsville
in 1856. When I asked about his family he told me all
were dead. What a change! Then wife and children
around his table. Now he eats his food among strangers
at the hotel and retires to his lonely room. I leave
at midnight.

BOXES FOR THE SOLDIERS.

Families at home sent thousands of boxes to husbands,
fathers, sons and brothers during the war.
Some contained pieces of clothing that the soldier would
fall and be buried in. We had no chance to wash and
dress those who fell in battle. Some of those boxes
contained the last food the mother ever cooked for her
soldier boy. The soldier seldom could go to the station
to claim his box. The Chaplain was often a convenient,
cheerful agent. It sometimes involved a great deal of
care and fatigue to take boxes from home in N. C. to
the army in Va. To hunt them up and get them to the
soldiers after they had reached Va. was no light task
But, thank God, "Love lightens labor."

Feb. 7, 1865 - Rain and sleet. Our Division is ordered
off. Three men in my Regiment had to leave their wives
in camp. As the troops were ordered to "fall in" I saw
the situation and made haste to tell the brave men that
I would take their wives to the depot and see them
start for their homes in N. C. The men may have
lived to go to their homes. I wish I knew. That was
a touching scene. The wife thought she might never
see her husband again. She heard the men were in
camp around Richmond. She got Grandma or some
one to take care of the other children while she took
the babe to see its father in camp. They reached the
camp. Both were so happy for two or three days.
Now! That drum calls the man to give his babe a
hasty kiss (it may be the last one) and turn away from
his wife, and go out to fight and face death. I secured
an ambulance and took the three good women to the
depot. I wish I now had their names.

Feb. 8 - "Peace Commission" fails.

Feb. 9 - Regiment get away.

Feb. 10 - Fast and pray.

Feb. 11 - After prayermeeting in Co. B, I am taken
suddenly and seriously ill and stay in bed three days
and nights.

March 24 - Meet Cousin Grey Utley in P. He
raised three daughters. Two became wives of Rev. L. S.
Burkhead, D.D. One Sunday night in October, 1853,
Rev. J. L. F. opened the doors of his church in Chapel
Hill to receive members. Just as I started forward
that good man, Grey Utley, began to sing "Jesus, I
my cross have taken." That soft, sweet voice and
the sentiment of that hymn stir my heart to-night in
October, 1897, as I write these lines - 44 years after that
solemn scene.

March 25 - Brigade moves and I start home on
"leave." It was my last furlough, though I had no
idea that I was to see the soldiers and Chaplains no
more. How tender would have been the leave-taking,
if I had known it was my last sight of those with
whom I had been so long associated.

March 26 (Sunday) - Heard Rev. Christian preach
at Clay Street in Richmond in a. m., and start to N. C.
at 6 p. m. It was the last sermon I was to hear in Va.
during the war. All night on the railroad.

March 27 - Get to Durham and spend night.

March 28 - Reach home and find all well. How
happy to be with my wife and little ones. My oldest
son had but lately given his heart to God and joined
the Church.

April 1, '65 - Walk five miles to see my mother in the
home of Allen Betts. Visited sister Jane Betts, widow
of my brother, Andrew, who was captured as captain
of his company on R. Island in 1862, and reached home
on parole to die. He took his eldest son with him.
He died in prison. Spent night with C. H. Cofield, who
was my guardian for ten years of my boyhood.

April 2 (Sunday) - Preach at Myatt's schoolhouse.
Spend night with my youngest brother, Archibald.
"When shall I see my mother again?" Those words
were written with the expectation of returning to Lee's
Army in a short time.

April 3 - Return to Chapel Hill with sick horse.
Spent week at home gardening. Receive bacon and
lard I had bought on the Harnett line, thirty miles
away. Hurrying up to be ready to return to the Army.

April 9 (Sunday) - Heard Brother Willson preach
During this week heard that Lee had surrendered!

Sad news. Johnston's Army passed through Chapel Hill
We knew Sherman would soon be in. I did not wish to
meet him. I told some of my friends I was going with
Gen. Johnston's Army. Rev. Dr. Charles Phillips tenderly
told me to go on and my friends would take care
of my family. After midnight I kissed my wife and
children and mounted a mule and rode away, thinking
I might not see them in months or years. I rode all
night, crossing Haw river, overtook Johnston's Army
and reported to Brig. Gen. Hoke, who assigned me to
duty as Chaplain to 17th N. C. Regt. We camped a
few miles from Greensboro for two or three days till we
heard we were to be surrendered. I rode to Greensboro
one day and met Rev. Dr. John B. McFerrin of Nashville,
Tenn., at the home of good Mrs. F. M. Bumpass.
The night following the tidings of our contemplated surrender
was a still, sad night in our camp. Rev. W. C.
Willson, the Chapel Hill pastor, was with us. We had
preached a few times in that camp; but that night we
made no effort to get the men together. In little, sad
groups they softly talked of the past, the present and
the future. Old men were there, who would have
cheerfully gone on, enduring the hardship of war, and
protracted absence from their families, for the freedom
of their country. Middle aged men were there, who
had been away from wives and children for years, had
gone through many battles, had lost much on their
farms or stores or factories or professional business;
but would that night have been glad to shoulder the
gun and march forward for the defense of their "native
land". Young men and boys were there, who loved
their country and were unspeakably sad at the thought
of the failure to secure Southern Independence.

Rev. W. C. Willson and I walked out of the camp
and talked and wept together. As I started back to
my tent - to my mule and saddle, I should say, for I
had no tent - I passed three lads sitting close together,

talking softly and sadly. I paused and listened. One
said, "It makes me very sad, to think of our surrendering."
Another said, "It hurts me worse than the
thought of battle ever did." The third raised his arm,
clenched his fist and seemed to grate his teeth as he
said, "I would rather know we had to go into battle
tomorrow morning." There was patriotism! There
may have been in that camp that night generals,
colonels and other officers who had been moved by a
desire for worldly honor. Owners of slaves and of
lands may have hoped for financial benefit from Confederate
success. But these boys felt they had a country
that ought to be free! I wish I had taken their
names. And I wonder if they still live. They are
good citizens, I am sure.

Next day I mounted my mule and started to Chapel
Hill, intending to surrender there. I took along a
negro servant and horse for a friend. At sunset we met
an old man at his spring near his house. I politely
asked to be permitted to spend the night on his land.
He objected. I said, "Boy, take off our saddles and
halter our horses." The farmer quickly said, "If you
will stay, come up to the house." I slept on his porch.

MY FIRST INTERVIEW WITH A FEDERAL SOLDIER ON DUTY.

I had seen many of them dead, wounded, or prisoners.
Near Chapel Hill one rode up to my side. The
Blue Coat and the Grey chatted softly and sparingly.
He kindly offered to show me the way to headquarters.
I thanked him and told him I would ride to my house
and see my family and report myself later. The town
was full of Federals. Each home had a guard detailed
by the commanding General. My guard was a faithful,
modest fellow. In due time I called at headquarters
and was paroled.
Page 80

APOLOGIA.

The Reverend A. D. Betts, D. D., author of the
foregoing diary, is my own honored and beloved father;
and, although he has neither suggested nor advised my
action herein, I have taken the liberty to append some
estimates of his worth and work, which will be appreciated
by others who have known and loved him and
received spiritual benefit from his Christly ministry.

The word of affectionate appreciation ought often
to be offered our deserving fellow travelers along life's
journey. Better this, by far, than reserving fulsome
eulogy for the completion of their moral task. Uttered
now, it will gratify and most likely cheer the weary
pilgrim. Fear thou not it may foster inordinately
vanity, for hardship enough has befallen to forefend
such folly. Most of all will it please the Master if the
loving meed of one's worth be accorded duly and
sincerely.

W. A. BETTS.

South Carolina Conference.

I WAS with "Uncle Betts" nearly five weeks, three
years ago, and no man ever impressed me more, as
being Christ-like-living holiness.

His success, as the world counts success, has not
been very great, yet thousands whom he has led to
Christ, call him blessed, and will be a crown of rejoicing
in the better world. - REV. J. V. WILLIAMS, L. P.,
in N. C. Conference.

CALLED forth by a few well-chosen words by the
Editor, several brethren have published in the
Raleigh Advocate their appreciation of Rev. Dr. A. D.
Betts, the oldest effective member of the Conference.
The close of the article of Rev. John N. Cole fitly describes
the man: "A man without an enemy - a man
that never lost a friend - a man beloved by everybody
and that himself loves everybody, and that loves God

best, is the venerable Dr. Betts." The writer once
heard a prominent Episcopalian vestryman say that he
would give any three clergymen of his acquaintance
for Dr. Betts and throw in a Bishop extra. - Correspondent
Nashville Christian Advocate, March 10,
1904.

IF there is anywhere a rich mine, it is the character of
Dr. A. D. Betts. I have known him for more than
fifteen years, and the more I know him the more
strongly am I convinced of his simple greatness -
"simple," because his is the meekness which is destined
to become the inheritor of the earth; "greatness,"
because his whole life is based upon goodness. It is
refreshing to be in his presence. He always carries
sunshine with him. No other man in North Carolina
Methodism will leave to the generations a richer bequest
than will be left by Dr. Betts. - T. N. IVEY, D. D.,
Editor Raleigh Christian Advocate.

THE Rev. A. D. Betts, D. D., has nearly rounded out a
half-century of faithful and successful work in the
Methodist itinerancy. He is still vigorous and gives
promise of several years of active service. He is furnishing
a beautiful lesson of how to grow old gracefully.
He is a man of the highest character and has
the full confidence of all the people. He is a man of
great faith and zeal and energy. He has prayed in
more homes, probably, than any other man m North
Carolina. He regards any place where souls can be
won for Christ a good one, and has gone cheerfully
to every appointment assigned him. He is greatly beloved
by his brethren. - F. D. SWINDELL, D. D., of the
N. C. Conference.

I WANT to say in reference to "Uncle Betts," that
he was once my pastor, and the bonds of love then
sealed still remain. He has never forgotten the covenant
then entered into with my people.

He is emphatically a seed-sower, and though results
may not always appear, eternity will reveal the good

he has done. I have seen him under different circumstances,
even surrounded by sin - and why should not
a preacher go where sin is? - yet he never forgot his
Master's business. He does a great deal of personal
work, and it would be well to remember, that however
indifferent one may appear, often beneath there is a
soul hungry for some word of encouragement. - M.
MIAL, ESQ., Lay Member of N. C. Conference.

MY first intimate acquaintance with this devout man
of God was when we roomed together at the
Annual Conference in Greensboro, N. C., in 1889. I
was being received on trial. He began then to show a
fatherly interest in me, and has never ceased to do so.
With Dr. Betts religion is a most vital, practical experience,
and that, too, "every day and every hour."
His life is marked by regular and constant devotion to
God and duty - cheerful submission to church authority
and willing service in any portion of the Lord's vineyard
- diligent pastoral ministration and personal
watchfulness for souls. No man among us more completely
has the confidence and love of both preachers
and laymen; for, like Caleb, "He wholly follows the
Lord God of Israel." - REV. R. H. BROOM, of the North
Carolina Conference.

IT was early in the seventies (1874 I think) when my
pastor, Rev. A. D. Betts, came to the door of our
humble little home, and on being invited in, said:
"No, I have just called to take your subscription to the
Advocate. You can hand me $2.00 any time, if not
convenient to pay now." "Good-bye, Bro. Hoyle;
good-bye, Sister Hoyle, God bless you." It is a model
plan for pastors to get their flock to read the church
paper. Before that morning I had never been a subscriber
to my church paper, and I don't think I had
ever been asked to subscribe. Since that time the
Advocate has made its weekly visits to our home
except for a few months in 1878 or 1879. I thank
Bro. Betts that he did not give me the chance to
tell him that "money was scarce," or that "I was
taking as many papers as I could read." O how

much I would enjoy seeing Bro. Betts again. Our
first pastor in our married life, and the one who
baptized our first-born. Betts, Bobbitt, Black and Blair
- have given much strength and added many years to
the life of the Advocate. - P. A. HOYLE, ESQ., Newton,
N. C., in North Carolina Christian Advocate.

A MAN by nature richly endowed - a fragrant and
generous soul to whom goodness is easy and natural
under the sunshine of grace. He does not have to
study to be good; goodness is not a thing that he has to
purpose in his soul - it is the opening of his soul in its
purely natural life under grace - just as beauty and fragrance
are the opening of a flower in its own sweet life.
Doctor Betts is the born gentleman, full of all human
excellencies, unselfish, large-hearted and noble, ready
for every good word and work. He has lived to make
the world brighter and purer and sweeter. He is a
lifter of burdens from the hearts of his fellowmen. His
pathway is a pathway of light. He is the child of the
day. Goodwill to all men has been the song of his life.
The love of Christ has been the sweet constraint of his
labors. And in it all he has had the peace of God in
his heart and has been one of the happiest of the servants
of the King.

A man without au enemy - a man that never lost a
friend - a man beloved by everybody and that himself
loves everybody and that loves God best, is the venerable
Doctor Betts. - REV. J. N. COLE, D. D., of the
N. C. Conference.

SINCE about 1859 we have well known Rev. A. D.
Betts, D. D. He is an alumnus of the University of
North Carolina, and one of the most consistent Christians
and profoundly religious men we have had the
pleasure of knowing. He is without guile, or hypocrisy,
or evil speech. He was one of the best and most devoted
chaplains in the Confederate service. General
Lee was so greatly impressed with the devotion, fidelity
and purity of this good man that he spoke of him as
"that model chaplain." He is one of the most consistently
devout, consecrated, and useful ministers we

have found in a long life. We hold him in high esteem
and have known no Methodist preacher of more exalted
qualities, of a higher sense of responsibility to God, or
of more devotion to his work as an ambassador for
Christ. We consider it alike a pleasure and honor to
have had such unbroken and fruitful association and
friendship with him. We hope his years may yet be
many in this land he loves, and has so obediently
and faithfully served, and that he will enter into his
final rest with an assured confidence in his salvation
through an abiding faith in the blessed Son of God. -
T. B. KINGSBURY, LL. D., of Wilmington, N. C.

IT has been my good fortune to know, esteem and
love "Brother Betts" for more than forty years,
and my life has been made better for having enjoyed so
rich a bounty. I flatter myself to hope that my life
bears the water - marks of some, at least, of the many
good qualities of this faithful man of God, who is
humble, lovable and consecrated. His consecrated life,
filled with love for his fellow-man, and abounding in
good works, like the "alabaster box," yields a most delightful
perfume.

I well remember the day of his graduation, and
can recall with distinctness the subject of his graduating
thesis. It was fine and made a most marked impression.
I am proud that all these forty odd years, I
have been blessed with his friendship. May his evening
tide be as sweet and mellow as the "sunset's
radiant glow," and may he be spared yet many years
to tabernacle in the flesh, that his life and example may
abide as a benediction with all "who love his appearing,"
and when he crosses the bar, "may he meet his
pilot face to face."

I am glad of an opportunity to add my tribute to
one so worthy. - GEN. JULIAN S. CARR, Durham, N. C.

I HAVE known Rev. Alexander Davis Betts, often in
North Carolina affectionately called Father Betts
for over fifty years - as a student of this University
as a citizen and as a minister. I lived for twenty years

in the county of his birth, in which he dwelt up to
manhood. For years he was a Trustee of this institution,
when I was its President. I therefore write of
his character of my own knowledge.

He is of excellent stock and has inherited the
virtues of his forbears. Always he has been conspicuous
for sincerity and truthfulness, for courage to do
right, for faithfulness to every duty, for undoubting
faith in the God of the Bible. He has striven to follow
in the steps of our Holy Savior. His studies have
never resulted in disturbance of his creed by the speculations
of the, so called, Higher Critics He has been
a loyal, well disciplined, undaunted soldier of Christ
and has never lost any part of his panoply. Duty has
always been his guiding star. He has not swerved from
the path to it to the right or the left. His heart is
tender as a woman's for the relief of distress and bold
as a lion's in conflict with error. Take him all in all
he possesses in full measure all the Christian graces. -
KEMP P. BATTLE, LL. D., Prof. Univ. of N. C.

MY recollections of Rev. A. D. Betts, D. D., when
I was his Presiding Elder, causes me to estimate
him as, perhaps, the most unselfish man amongst
us, regarding his fields of labor. Once at Conference,
when it was understood between us that he would
move, he waited until the appointments had been read,
and final adjournment had been had, to deliver his
wife's message of love to me, and yet kindly suggested
that I could not have been consciously influenced in
the making of his appointment by knowledge of such
affectionate esteem. On another occasion when developments
after an early fourth Quarterly Conference impressed
him that some of the brethren would prefer a
change in preachers at Conference, he by letter asked
me to authorize him to make appointments for me to
preach at some of his churches in the week, his Circuit
being located between the Circuits I had published
quarterly meetings for including the Sabbaths preceding
and succeeding the week named, and thus he
brought me again to his Circuit that the brethren should
have an opportunity to talk with me and that I should
have opportunity to further study the needs of the
work, and he himself magnanimously and cheerfully

consented that the change be made, and as to where he
should be sent I could only learn from him that he was
ready to go anywhere. Indeed, I found him always
the very embodiment of the spirit of our itinerancy.

Another recollection of Dr. Betts: It was at Trinity
College at a commencement. I had gone to his room,
and my son coming for me I arose to go, when the
Doctor laid his hand on me and asked me to wait and
have a word of prayer with him, and closing the door
we three knelt together and it was not difficult to lead
in that prayer; for I was in the prophet's chamber. I
love this man of God. - REV. J. T. GIBBS, of the N. C.
Conference.

REV. A. D. BETTS and I were college mates at the
University of North Carolina, he being of the
Class of 1856 and I of the one just preceding. We were
also members of the Dialectic Society, a literary society
of great value to the institution in those days when
membership of that or the Philanthropic, the other
meritorious literary society was compulsory. For some
time after the resuscitation of the University in 1875 he
was a member of the Board of Trustees of his Alma
Mater, and I was associated with him in that capacity.
Before and since I have had the pleasure of meeting
him occasionally. Mr. Betts having been raised on a
farm, with inadequate school advantages in his neighborhood,
was older than the average college student
when at Chapel Hill, and his influence on his fellows
was correspondingly greater He was faithful to every
duty and graduated with honor. He was then a member
of the Methodist Church and had the moral courage
and independence to avow and live up to his principles,
even in company with young men who "cared for none
of those things." In manner and disposition he was
ever cheerful and cordial, and from observation I would
say that cheerfulness has always been one of his leading
characteristics. Is it not due to this as much as to
his habits of temperance in meat and drink, that he is
still hale and hearty after passing the Psalmist's limit
of threescore and ten? His cheerfulness has made
others happier, while it has made him less careful as
to the ills that attend advanced years. Not being a
member of the same Church as Mr. Betts, I cannot

speak of him as a preacher, from personal knowledge;
but from the fervency of his prayers on public occasions
at the University and elsewhere and his manner as a
speaker in meetings of the Board of Trustees, I doubt
not he is an earnest and successful preacher of the
Gospel, and as a pastor his ministrations could not but
be acceptable to the many flocks of which he has
charge as a member of the Methodist Conference. May
he be spared to his Church and State many years
longer! - HON. R. H. BATTLE, Raleigh, N. C.

I FIRST saw Rev. A. D. Betts, D. D., at a Monday
night prayermeeting in the Seaman's Bethel, in
Wilmington, N. C., in 1866. He made an impression
upon my mind that night as a very earnest, zealous,
godly man, full of the gladness of religion. I then
thought that he was acquainted with his Lord and was
in great peace. In 1876, I was received on trial into
the North Carolina Conference. Since that time we
have had the annual greeting without a break that I
remember. We were pastors in the same town. It
was a real pleasure and much profit to be associated
with him in the same pastorate. I received much benefit
from the association. While on the Washington
District as Presiding Elder, we were together again,
where I saw Doctor Betts from another standpoint.
First, in my youth, I saw him in the prayermeeting.
Next, as a brother preacher in our Conference. Again,
as pastors in the same charge, and subsequently associated
as Presiding Elder and pastor. He has always been
the same earnest, sweet spirited representative of his
Lord. I always loved to attend his Quarterly Meetings,
His life, his work, was a benediction to me and I left
his circuit better for the association. I looked at him
during our last Conference at Goldsboro and thought
surely no man has ever passed so many years with so
little change. Remarkably little difference in physical
appearance. Just as full of energy, just as earnest, just
as anxious for conversions as back in the sixties.

He has always tried to sow seed in the by-ways.
His horse soon learned to stop on meeting any one.
Only a minute to ask about the spiritual condition and
he was gone, singing as he went. Was that time

wasted? I heard a preacher say at the District Conference
in LaGrange, that the brief question, "Are you on
the road for the Better Land?" by Doctor Betts, fastened
conviction upon him and led him in contrition to
his Lord. I always appreciated his prayers for me, and
regarded his visits to our home as a benediction. Here
and there in my journeys I found old veterans who
gave very warm commendations of Doctor Betts as a
faithful, conscientious chaplain during the Confederate
war. He yet holds a very large place in the hearts of
the old soldiers.

Yes, he is now on the downward slope in life's journey.
The material sun is getting lower, but in the
spiritual life his sun is yet at meridian and will not go
down, but grow brighter and brighter until the perfect
day. God forever bless him and all of his. - REV. F. A.
BISHOP of the N. C. Conference.

MY personal acquaintance and association with Rev.
A. D. Betts, D. D., began twenty years ago, and
has continued with an intimacy akin to family ties.
For a number of years we came in contact almost daily.
Twenty years! Quite a span in life, and much may be
accomplished; but when embraced between the fifty-second
and seventy-second years, not much that is of
interest to the public. That is a period when men
begin to plan for retirement, superannuation, etc. The
history making epoch is past. Bodily infirmities, in the
case of the veterans of the Confederate war at least,
from exposure and hardships of various kinds claim the
attention. Instead of benefactors to the human race
they become themselves beneficiaries of a willing and
generous constituency. Our hero stands out a notable
exception to the rule. There is nothing in common with
this class except the mere fact of age. He possesses a perfectly
sound though somewhat frail body, and a mind
as active as in youth - a result largely due to his strict
observance of the laws of health, and wonderful self-control:
To properly appreciate the character of this
great and good man, certain facts must be borne in mind.
One of the best educated men of the day, with high social
and family connections, with ability to fill with ease
and honor any position in the gift of the people - to
deliberately turn his back upon all such opportunities,

and voluntarily take upon himself a work comparatively
menial, a work fraught with danger to himself, as well
as hardship, and the remuneration a mere pittance - is
this not most remarkable in an age of self-aggrandizement
and commercialism? A complete crucifixion this,
of self for others, and withal a cheerful and happy disposition,
almost angelic. He is a practical Christian,
practising six days what he preaches on the Sabbath.
Contact with such a man is a benediction. As a
preacher and pastor and citizen, in all he is a model.
But it is in the sick room especially among the poor,
that he shines with peculiar splendor. This is the work
he selects, and is never so happy as when engaged
therein. H does not wait to be sent for, nor even for
such cases to be reported to him. He is always on the
alert, and where needed most there he is to be found.
Not only does he share his money, but where that is
not sufficient to relieve all the needs, he supplies the
deficiency with personal service. How often has he
been seen with arms full of wood from a neighboring
saw-mill, buckets of water, etc., hastening to relieve
suffering! This of course is outside of his ministration
to their spiritual needs.

Young men have a special interest for Dr. Betts.
In his lodge (Odd Fellows), on the streets, everywhere,
he is their friend. The desire to help others seems to
overshadow all other considerations. His favorite song,
as I have so often heard him in his room at my home,
before joining the family at the breakfast table, is,
"Help us to help each other, Lord". This correctly
illustrates the principle of his life. Donations to him,
whether money or otherwise, are used to help others.
He never heralds his work to the world, for truly his left
hand is ignorant of what his right hand does. Of all
my acquaintances, he is the best and greatest - not as
the world calls great, perhaps, for he is to be measured
by no such standard.

The influence for good of the very presence of this
godly man in a community cannot be estimated in
words, for it is greater far than volumes of sermons and
discourses. May he be spared many years of health
and usefulness, is the prayer of one who loves him next
to his own immediate family! - N. H. STREET, M. D.,
of New Bern, N. C.

BIOGRAPHICAL.

Alexander D. Betts, son of Wm. and Tempe Utley
Betts, was born in Cumberland (now Harnett) county,
N. C., August 25, 1832. Brought up on a farm till seventeen
years of ago when just for fun he mounted a wild,
young steer which threw him, so badly crippling him
that he could not do farm work. That accident put him
in a classical school at Summerville, whence he went to
the University of North Carolina. He was converted
there October 15, 1853, under the ministry of Rev. J. L.
Fisher of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and
joined that church a few days thereafter. He attended
the North Carolina Conference at Raleigh the following
month, and has been permitted to attend fifty others
without missing one. He soon felt that God called him
to preach the gospel, and received license while yet a
student. He was graduated June 7th, 1855, having
married Miss Mary E. Davis of Chapel Hill, May 12th.
He taught school five months at Pittsboro the next fall.
Just after Conference, 1855, Bishop Andrew sent him as
supply to Henry Circuit, Va. His first Presiding Elder
Rev. John Tillett, was a great blessing to him, writing
to him between quarterly meetings and encouraging him
in many ways. He joined the North Carolina Conference
at Greensboro in 1856, and served charges in Cumberland,
Sampson, Brunswick and Bladen before the
war. While preaching at Smithville (now Southport)
Gov. Clark, at the request of the officers of the 30th
North Carolina Regiment, sent him a commission as
their Chaplain, October 25th, 1861.

every day in her husband's absence. October 26, 1881,
God gave him Priscilla M. Debnam of Wake county, N. C.,
to help him and his motherless children to get to
Heaven.

Eighth Annual Meeting and Reunion of the
United Confederate Veterans.

THIRD DAY'S PROCEEDINGS.

When General Gordon
called the Convention to
order at 10:10 yesterday morning, there were fully
15,000 people in the hall. It was impossible to find
seats, and the aisles were packed and jammed with
Veterans struggling to get close to the platform.

"It was the habit of our great chieftain, Robert E.
Lee," said General Gordon, "after the most brilliant
victories ever won by the Confederate armies, to ascribe
his success to the providence of God. When I stood
yesterday listening to the songs of praise to that God to
whom Lee looked for help and support, it carried me
back, as it did you, to those good old scenes in the midst
of strife, when the soldiers used to sing praises to Almighty
God, and I want you, as becomes us dependent
on His will, to again unite in singing that grand old
hymn, 'Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow.'"

That vast audience stood and sang that old song as
probably they had never sung it before. The melody
from 10,000 throats wafted out from that big building
toward heaven, and the angels themselves must have
joined in the refrain.

Rev. Dr. Betts, of North Carolina, then led in
prayer as follows:

"Oh, God, our Heavenly Father, we do thank Thee
that Thou dost allow us to call Thee Father. Have
mercy upon us to-day and forgive all our shortcomings.
We thank Thee for Thy great goodness to us - for
watching over these old warriors so long with such
tender mercies. God bless every one of them; they
deserve Thy blessing. We do thank Thee that Thou
hast spared them to come through the perils of war to
be here to-day. God bless our commander-in-chief.

May he be strong in the faith of the Dying Savior, and
may he gather with us on many more such occasions as
this before the end of his earthly existence. Bless every
home represented in this great gathering. Bless Atlanta
and all Atlanteans. Remember, God, every home
in this great city. Be with this great nation in the
war it is now waging against Spain, and remember the
prayers of many tender-hearted mothers on both sides
of the great Atlantic. Be with us in our deliberations,
and stir the hearts of those who have not yet accepted
the religion of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen."

Dr. Betts was so filled with the inspiration of the
scene that he embraced General Gordon, saying: "God
bless you my noble old Commander, I hope and believe
we will meet on the other shore," and led the audience
to sing that old familiar hymn, "Brother, Will
You Meet Me." He started the air himself, and nearly
everybody in the house joined in the singing:

"Say, brother will you meet me,
Say, brother, will you meet me,
Say, brother, will you meet me,
On Canaan's happy shore?"

"By the grace of God we'll meet you
On Canaan's happy shore.
There we'll shout and give Him glory,
On Canaan's happy shore."

THE NINTH OF APRIL, 1865

(from the London Spectator.)

It is a Nation's death-cry! Yes, the agony is past;
The stoutest race that ever fought, today hath fought its
last .
Aye, start and shudder, well thou mayst! Well veil
thy weeping eyes!
England, may God forgive thy past; man cannot but
despise.

Yes, shudder at that cry that speaks the South's supreme
despair;
Thou that could'st save and saved'st not, that could'st and
did'st not dare,
Thou that had'st might to aid the right and heart to brook
the wrong;

That land, the garden of thy wealth, one haggard waste
appears.
The ashes of her sunny homes are slaked with patient tears -
Tears for the slain who died in vain for freedom on the field -
Tears, tears of bitterer anguish still for those that lived to
yield.

The cannon of his country pealed Stewart's funeral knell;
Her soldiers' cheers rang in his ears when Stonewall
Jackson fell;
Onward o'er gallant Ashby's grave swept war's triumphant
tide,
And Southern hopes were living yet when Polk and Morgan
died.

But he, the leader on whose word those captains loved to
wait,
The noblest, bravest, best of all, hath found a harder fate.
Unscathed by shot and steel, he passed through many a
desperate field;
Alas! that he lived so long, and only lived - to yield!

Along the war-worn, wasted ranks that loved him to the
last,
With saddened face and weary pace the vanquished chieftain
passed.
Their own hard lot the men forgot, they felt what his
must be;
What thoughts in that dark hour must wring the heart of
General Lee.

The manly cheeks with tears were wet, the stately head
was bowed,
As breaking from their shattered ranks around his steed
they crowd.
"I did my best for you!" 'Twas all those quivering lips
could say;
Ah, happy those whom death had spared the anguish of
that day.

Sunny South, weep on! Weep the lives given to thy cause
in vain;
The sons who live to wear once more the Union's galling
chain;
The homes whose light is quenched for aye; the graves
without a stone;
The folded flag, the broken sword, the hope forever flown.

Yet raise thy head, fair land! Thy dead died bravely for
the right;
The folded flag is stainless still, the broken sword is bright.
No blot on thy record is found, no treason soils thy fame;
Weep thou thy dead; with covered head we mourn our
England's shame!

- W. R. Greg.

THE BIVOUAC OF THE DEAD.

By Captain Theodore O'Hara.

The muffled drum's sad roll has beat,
The soldier's last tattoo;
No more on life's parade shall meet
That brave and fallen few.
On Fame's eternal camping ground
Their silent tents are spread,
And glory guards with solemn round,
The bivouac of the dead.

No rumor of the foe's advance
Now weeps upon the wind,
No troubled thought at midnight haunts;
Of loved ones left behind.
No vision of the morrow's strife
The warrior's dream alarms;
Nor braying horn, nor screaming fife
At dawn shall call to arms.

Their shivered swords are red with rust,
Their plumed heads are bowed,
Their haughty banner, trailed in dust,
Is now their martial shroud.
And plenteous funeral-tears have washed,
The red stains from each brow;
And the proud forms, by battle gashed,
Are freed from anguish now.

The neighing troop, the flashing blade,
The bugle's stirring blast,
The charge, the dreadful cannonade,
The din and shout are past.
Nor war's wild note, nor glory's peal,
Shall thrill with fierce delight
Those breasts that never more may feel
The rapture of the fight.

ALL QUIET ALONG THE POTOMAC.

(The authorship of this poem has been disputed. It is
ascribed to Lamar Fontaine, Second Virginia Cavalry.)

"All quiet along the Potomac tonight,"
Except now and then a stray picket
Is shot as he walks on his beat to and fro,
By a rifleman hid in the thicket.
'Tis nothing - a private or two now and then
Will not count in the news of the battle;
Not an officer lost - only one of the men -
Moaning out, all alone, the death rattle.

"All quiet along the Potomac tonight,"
Where the soldiers lie peacefully dreaming;
Their tents, in the rays of the clear autumn moon,
Or the light of the watch fires are gleaming,
A tremulous sigh, as the gentle night-wind
Through the forest leaves slowly is creeping,
While the stars up above, with their glittering eyes,
Keep guard - for the army is sleeping.

There is only the sound of the lone sentry's tread,
As he tramps from the rock to the fountain,
And thinks of the two in the low trundle bed,
Far away in the cot on the mountain.
His musket falls slack - his face, dark and grim,
Grows gentle with memories tender,
As he mutters a prayer for his children asleep -
For their mother, may heaven defend her!

The moon seems to shine as brightly as then,
That night, when the love yet unspoken
Leaned up to his lips, and when low murmured vows
Were pledged to be ever unbroken.
Then drawing his sleeve roughly over his eyes,
He dashes off tears that are welling,
And gathers his gun close up to its place,
As if to keep down the heart swelling.

He passes the fountain, the blasted pine tree -
The footstep is lagging and weary,
Yet onward he goes, through the broad belt of light,
Towards the shades of the forest so dreary.
Hark! was it the night-wind that rustled the leaves?
Was it moonlight so wonderously flashing?
It looked like a rifle - ha! Mary, goodbye!
And the life-blood is ebbing and splashing!

"All quiet along the Potomac tonight,"
No sound save the rush of the river;
While soft falls the dew on the face of the dead -
The picket's off duty forever.
1861.

TO THE CONFEDERATE DEAD.

Below we give the inscriptions upon the Confederate
monument in the State Capitol Grounds, Columbia, S. C.,
erected by the women of South Carolina to the Confederate
dead:

NORTH SIDE.

This Monument
Perpetuates the Memory
of those Who,
True to the Instincts of their Birth,
Faithful to the Teachings of their Fathers
Constant in their Love for the State
Died in the Performance of their Duty;
Who have Glorified a Fallen Cause
By the Simple Manhood of their Lives,
the Patient Endurance of Suffering,
and the Heroism of Death,
and who, in the Dark Hours of Imprisonment,
in the Hopelessness of the Hospital,
in the Short, Sharp Agony of the Field,
Found Support and Consolation in the Belief
that at home they would not be forgotten.

SOUTH SIDE.

Let the Stranger
Who May in Future Times
Read this Inscription,
Recognize that these were Men
Whom Death Could not Terrify,
Whom Defeat Could not Dishonor,
and let their Virtues Plead
for Just Judgment,
of the Cause in which they Perished.
Let the South Carolinian
of Another Generation
Remember
That the State Taught Them
How to Live and How to Die,
And that from her Broken Fortunes
She has Preserved for Her Children
the Priceless Treasure of their Memories,
Teaching all who may claim
the Same Birthright
that Truth, Courage, and Patriotism
Endure Forever.

LITTLE GIFFEN.

Out of the focal and foremost fire,
Out of the hospital wall as dire,
Smitten of grape shot and gangrene,
(Eighteenth battle and he sixteen!)
Spectre! Such as you seldom see,
Little Giffen of Tennessee!

"Take him and welcome!" the surgeons said;
Little the doctor can help the dead!
So we took him and brought him where
The balm was sweet in the summer air;
And we laid him down on a wholesome bed -
Metter Lazarus, heel to head!

And we watched the war with bated breath -
Skeleton boy against skeleton death.
Months of torture, how many such
Weary weeks of stick and crutch,
And still a glint of the steel-blue eye,
Told of a spirit that WOULDN'T die.

And didn't. Nay, more! in death's despite
The crippled skeleton "learned to write."
DEAR MOTHER, at first, of course; and then
DEAR CAPTAIN, inquiring about the men.
Captain's answer; of eighty and five,
Giffen and I are left alive.

Word of gloom from the war one day:
Johnston pressed at the front, they say.
Little Giffen was up and hurried away;
A tear - his first - as he bade goodbye,
Dimmed the glint of his steel-blue eye.
"I'll write, if spared!" There was news of the
fight,
But none of Giffen - he did not write.

I sometimes fancy that, were I king
Of the princely knights of the Golden Ring,
With the song of the minstrel in mine ear,
And the tender story that trembles here,
I'd give the best on his bended knee,
The whitest soul of my chivalry,
For "Little Giffen" of Tennessee.

THE CONQUERED BANNER.

Abram Joseph Ryan.

And there's not a sword to save it,
And there's not one left to lave it,
In the blood which heroes gave it,
And it's foes now scorn and brave it;
Furl it, hide it - let it rest!

Take that banner down! 'tis tattered;
Broken is it's staff and shattered;
And the valiant hosts are scattered
Over whom it floated high.
Oh! 'tis hard for us to fold it;
Hard to think there's none to hold it -
Hard that those who once unrolled it,
Now must furl it with a sigh.

Furl that banner! Furl it sadly!
Once ten thousand hailed it gladly,
And ten thousand wildly, madly,
Swore it should forever wave;
Swore that foeman's sword should never
Hearts like theirs entwined dissever,
Till that flag should float forever
O'er their freedom or their grave!

Furl it! For the hands that grasped it,
And the hearts that fondly clasped it,
Cold and dead are lying low;
And that banner - it is trailing!
While around it sounds the wailing
Of it's people in their woe.
For though conquered, they adore it!
Love the cold, dead hands that bore it!
Weep for those who fell before it!
Pardon those who trailed and tore it!
But, oh! wildly they deplore it,
Now who furl and fold it so.

Furl that banner! True, 'tis gory,
Yet 'tis wreathed around with glory,
And 'twill live in song and story,
Though it's folds are in the dust;
For it's fame on brightest pages,
Penned by poets and by sages,
Shall go sounding down the ages -
Furl it's folds though now we must.

Furl that banner, softly slowly,
Treat it gently - it is holy -
For it droops above the dead,
Touch it not-unfold it never,
Let it droop there, furled forever,
For its people's hopes are dead!

DIXIE.

AIR: "Annie Laurie"

Oh! Dixie's homes are bonnie,
And Dixie's hearts are true;
And 'twas down in dear old Dixie
Our life's first breath we drew;
(And there our last we sigh),:
And for Dixie, dear old Dixie,
We'll lay us down and die.

No fairer land than Dixie's
Has ever seen the light;
No braver boys than Dixie's
To stand for Dixie's right;
(With hearts so true and high),:
And for Dixie, dear old Dixie,
To lay them down and die.

Oh! Dixie's vales are sunny,
And Dixie's hills are blue,
And Dixie's skies are bonnie,
And Dixie's daughters, too -
(As stars in Dixie's sky):
And for Dixie, dear old Dixie,
We'll lay us down and die.

No more upon the mountain,
No longer by the shore,
The trumpet song of Dixie
Shall shake the world no more;
For Dixie's songs are o'er,
Her glory gone on high,
And the brave who bled for Dixie,
Have laid them down to die.

- F. O. Ticknor of Columbus, Ga.

LAND OF THE SOUTH.

Land of the South! - imperial land!
How proud thy mountains rise! -
How sweet thy scenes on every hand!
How fair thy covering skies!
But not for this - oh, not for these,
I love thy fields to roam -
Thou hast a dearer spell to me -
Thou art my native home!

I've stood beneath Italia's clime
Beloved of tale and song -
On Helvyn's hills, proud and sublime,
Where nature's wonders throng;
By Tempe's classic sunlit streams,
Where gods of old did roam -
But ne'er have found so fair a land
As thee - my native home!

And "heaven's best gift to man" is thine, -
God bless thy rosy girls!
Like sylvan flowers, they shine,
Their hearts are pure as pearls!
And grace and goodness circle them,
Where'er their footsteps roam, -
How can I then, whilst loving them,
Not love my native home?

Land of the South! imperial land! -
Then here's a health to thee, -
Long as thy mountain barriers stand,
May'st thou be blest and free!
May dark dissension's banner ne'er
Wave e'er thy fertile loam, -
But should it come, there's one will die
To save his native home!

- Alexander Beaufort Meek,
Columbia, S. C.

THE OLD NORTH STATE.

By Judge William Gaston.

Carolina! Carolina! Heaven's blessings attend her!
While we live will cherish and love and defend her.
Though the scorner may sneer at and witlings defame her.
Our hearts swell with gladness, whenever we name her.

CHORUS: Hurrah! hurrah! The Old North State forever!
Hurrah! hurrah! The good old North State!

Though she envies not others their merited glory,
Say, whose name stands the foremost in Liberty's story!
Though too true to herself e'er to crouch to oppression,
Who can yield to just rule a more loyal submission?

Plain and artless her sons, but whose doors open faster
At the knock of the stranger, or the tale of disaster?
How like to the rudeness of their dear native mountains -
With rich ore in their bosoms and life in their fountains!

And her daughters, the queen of the forest resembling,
So graceful, so constant, yet to gentlest breath trembling:
And, true lightwood at heart, let the match be applied them;
How they kindle and flame! Oh! none know but who've
tried them!

Then let all who love us, love the land that we live in -
As happy a region as on this side of heaven -
Where plenty and freedom, love and peace smile before us,
Raise aloud, raise together, the heart-thrilling chorus:

Hurrah! hurrah! The old North State forever!
Hurrah! hurrah! The good old North State!

HO! FOR CAROLINA!

Let no heart in sorrow weep for other days;
Let no idle dreamers tell in melting lays
Of the merry meetings in the rosy bowers -
For there's no land on earth like this fair land of ours.

CHORUS: Ho! for Carolina! that's the land for me!
In her happy borders roam the brave and free,
And her bright-eyed daughters! none can fairer
be -
Oh! it is the land of love and sweet liberty!

Down in Carolina grows the lofty pine,
And her groves end forests bear the scented vine;
Here are peaceful homes, too, nestling 'mid the flowers -
Oh! there's no land on earth like this fair land of ours.

Come to Carolina in the summer time,
When the luscious fruits are hanging in their prime,
And the maidens singing in the leafy bowers -
Oh! there's no land on earth like this fair land of ours!

Her patriot sons are peaceful, modest, too, and brave,
The first to spurn the shackles intended for the slave;
Disdaining boastful tyrants, they trust in duty's powers -
Oh! there are no men on earth more nobly true than ours!

All her girls are charming, graceful, too, and gay,
Happy as the blue-birds in the month of May;
And they steal your hearts by their magic powers -
Oh! there are no girls on earth that can compare with ours!

Behold her vales and forests, her sparkling brooks and
rills,
And fields of golden harvests, her mountains and her hills,
All robed in fairest beauty with nature's sweetest flowers -
Oh! who would not be proud of this heritage of ours?

- Anonymous.

"APPLES OF GOLD IN PICTURES OF
SILVER."

Affectionately Dedicated to Papa.

By W. A. B.

A stranger passing on the streets of Frederick, Maryland,
Was marching with a Southern corps, a brave and warlike
band.
By chance he saw a sight full pure enough for heaven's
dome,
Which made his heart leap forth with joy in tender thought
of home.

A little maiden pure and sweet seemed flitting through
the air,
Transformed into an angel bright, with brow untouched
by care.
Her hand of mercy seized a cup filled with sparkling water,
And poured well full the soldier's tins, like a queenly
daughter.

A vessel near was kept supplied with the refreshing
draught,
And as she worked with hands of love, so merrily she
laughed.
A Chaplain of the "Thirtieth" (this stranger passing by)
Stood rapt, in meditation on the sight which met his eye.

He gazed with fond devotion as his trembling hand he laid
Upon her youthful head and said, "God bless you, little
maid!"
"He will bless you, for he hath said whoever shall e'en give
A cup of water in his name, shall a reward receive."

He went his way, absorbed in thought when suddenly in
rear
He heard a little pit-a-pat upon the sidewalk near.
Facing about he met the maid, who sweetly said: "Mister,
Mama says will you please come back there, just a moment,
sir?"

She led him through this door and that, through passage,
hall and out
Into a parlor, large and bright - garbed in his "round-
about."
A lady rose with queenly grace, who said: "Kind sir, you
spoke
Unto my little girl just now, God's blessings to invoke."

The stranger bowed with modest air in assent to the same,
And then with guests and relatives a moment's chat they
claim,
The chaplain leaves. He bids adieu to friends collected
there
And joins his comrades on the march, the crown to win
and wear.

The war is o'er. In "Sixty-six," on N. C's. eastern shore,
Is found an humble Pastor who is weary and foot-sore.
The ills of war have plied too well their scourge with iron
hand
And Carolina's goodly soil is desolated land.

The Pastor, too, partakes of this misfortune of his State.
Chill penury applies with pain her comfortless ill-fate.
His little ones about him are in almost threadbare clothes;
And other bare necessities the pantry also shows.

We find him on a summer eve engaged in garden work,
Intent that he will persevere, nor e'en one duty shirk.
When lo, a lad calls at the gate! "A letter, sir!" he said.
The Pastor took the missive brought, then broke the seal
and read.

He learned it was from distant friends of Frederick, Maryland,
And brought glad tidings to his heart, as sent by Mercy's
hand.
His nerves gave way; o'ercome with joy at such outlook
for fate,
He sought a stump which stood near by - his thoughts to
collocate.

He reads that friends, in thoughtful love, their very best
have done,
And that a box of "sundries" have been shipped to Wilmington.
That night around the household hearth, to Our Father's
care
These "friends indeed" were wafted up in humble, heartfelt
prayer.